Navigating Online Tutoring for Primary Maths: A Guide for UK Parents

30/07/2024 / Maths Tutoring

The journey of helping your child navigate the labyrinth of primary school maths can be a daunting one. As a parent, you want the best for your child’s education, but it can be challenging to know where to start.

With the increasing popularity of online tutoring in the UK and beyond, there are more options than ever to provide your child with the support they need to excel.

In our latest blog, we’ll explore online tutoring for primary maths, so that your child not only understands the subject but also enjoys learning it!

Why Does My Child Need Online Maths Tutoring?

The primary school years are crucial in building a solid foundation in mathematics.

According to a recent report by Ofsted, strong mathematical skills developed during these years are crucial for future academic success and everyday life skills.

However, not every child finds maths easy to grasp. There could be many reasons for this, from differing learning styles to varying teaching methods in schools.

Online maths tutoring for primary school children is the perfect approach to address your child’s individual needs. Unlike traditional classroom settings, online maths tutors can tailor their teaching methods to suit each child’s learning style. This bespoke approach helps your child with their understanding and retention of mathematical concepts which are important for their academic development.

So what will be covered in your child’s primary online maths lessons?

Types of Topics Covered by Primary Online Maths Tutors

Primary school maths online tuition in the UK covers a broad spectrum of topics designed to build a solid mathematical foundation for young learners. These topics are typically aligned with the national curriculum, ensuring students develop the necessary skills and knowledge for each stage of their education.

• Number and Place Value: This foundational area includes understanding numbers, counting, and the value of digits in different places. Students learn to count in various increments, recognise odd and even numbers, and grasp the concept of place value in larger numbers.

• Addition and Subtraction: Early lessons focus on basic addition and subtraction within 20, gradually extending to more complex calculations involving larger numbers. Techniques such as mental math, number bonds, and the use of manipulatives are employed to solidify these concepts.

• Multiplication and Division: Students begin with simple multiplication and division facts, often using times tables. They progress to more complex problems, including multiplying and dividing larger numbers and understanding the relationship between these operations.

• Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages: Starting with basic fractions, students learn to recognize and compare them, progressing to operations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages. This includes understanding equivalent fractions, converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and performing calculations.

• Measurement: This topic covers understanding and using units of measurement for length, mass, volume, time, and money. Students learn to estimate, measure accurately, and solve problems involving different measures, including perimeter, area, and volume.

• Geometry: Students explore the properties of shapes, both 2D and 3D, and learn about symmetry, angles, and the relationships between different shapes. They also study position and direction, using coordinates to describe locations and movements.

• Statistics: Basic data handling skills are introduced, including collecting, organising, and interpreting data. Students learn to create and read charts, tables, and graphs, developing skills to conclude from data sets.

• Problem Solving and Reasoning: An integral part of maths education, this area emphasises applying mathematical knowledge to solve practical problems. Students are encouraged to explain their reasoning, develop strategies, and approach problems creatively.

These types of topics are often taught by online maths tutors using interactive tools, games, and real-life applications. This helps make online maths tuition engaging and also fun for primary-age school students.

Supporting Your Child

Helping your child with primary-level maths at home in the UK can help reinforce online maths tutoring and get the most out of it.

Here are some of our strategies to support your child with maths.

• Make Maths Fun: Incorporate games and puzzles that involve maths concepts. Board games like Monopoly or card games like Uno can improve arithmetic skills.

• Use Real-Life Examples: Use everyday situations to teach maths. Cooking together can involve measuring ingredients, shopping can include budgeting and counting money, and planning a trip can involve time management.

• Online Resources:  educational websites and apps designed for primary maths can help support your child on their maths journey. Websites like BBC Bitesize and apps like Mathletics offer interactive and engaging activities.

• Consistent Practice: Regular practice is key. Short, daily sessions can be more effective than longer, infrequent ones. Use workbooks aligned with the UK curriculum to guide these sessions.

• Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive attitude towards maths. Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort rather than actual ability, while showing enthusiasm for the subject.

• School Liaison: Stay in touch with your child’s teacher to understand the curriculum and areas where your child might need extra help. Use this information to reinforce learning at home.

• Encourage Problem-Solving: Develop your child’s problem-solving skills by encouraging them to explain their thinking. This helps deepen their understanding and builds confidence.

Example Online Maths Session For an 8-Year-Old.

So you can get an idea of the type of session your primary-age child might enjoy online, this is an example lesson suitable for an 8-year-old child, typically in Year 3 or Year 4 in the UK.

At this age, children are generally introduced to the basic concepts of fractions and can grasp simple parts of a whole through engaging and interactive methods.

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Fractions

Duration: 30 minutes

Warm-Up (5 minutes):

• Greet the student and discuss their favourite foods (e.g., pizza, chocolate bars).

• Show images of these foods cut into pieces to introduce the concept of parts of a whole.

Interactive Presentation (10 minutes):

• Explain fractions using visual aids (e.g., pie charts, divided chocolate bars).

• Demonstrate simple fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4) with real-life examples.

Hands-On Activity (10 minutes):

• Use an online tool or drawing app to let the child colour portions of shapes.

• Ask them to identify and label the fractions represented.

Q&A and Recap (5 minutes):

Answer any questions.

Review key points and ensure the child can explain what a fraction is.

Homework:

Suggest a fun worksheet or an educational game on fractions to reinforce learning.

To support this lesson at home, parents can incorporate fractions into daily activities. For example, cooking or baking together can involve measuring ingredients, and providing practical experience with fractions.

Parents can also use toys or household items to visually demonstrate fractions, like dividing a pizza or a chocolate bar. You could also play online fraction games and using educational apps can reinforce the concepts in a fun and interactive way.

Navigating Online Tutoring for Primary Maths – To Finish…

Navigating online tutoring for primary maths can seem overwhelming, but it can be a highly effective tool in supporting your child’s education.

By choosing the right tutor, setting clear goals, and staying actively involved in the learning process, you can help your child build a strong foundation in maths that will benefit them for years to come.

For expert online maths tuition for your primary-aged child, Principal Tutors provides tailored tutoring solutions that can make a real difference in your child’s educational journey.

Our innovative tutor-pupil matching service means your child will improve their maths skills and also develop a love for learning that will serve them well throughout their educational journey.