5 Ways Parents Can Support Achievement in Maths

Supporting your child’s progress in maths doesn’t mean you need to be an expert. With the right tools and strategies, you can make a real difference in their achievement. And whether your child is a confident learner or needs a boost, your involvement can positively shape their attitude and performance in this core subject.

Here are five ways parents can support pupil achievement in maths.

1. Nurture a Positive Maths Attitude

Children often reflect their parents' attitudes to maths. Listen to how you talk about maths – do you unintentionally communicate anxiety or reticence? Children may mirror these negative feelings. Try framing maths as a fun and valuable life skill. Always celebrate your child’s effort over perfection, and normalise their mistakes as part of the learning process.

Tip: Use everyday activities  –  like cooking, budgeting or grocery shopping – to show how maths can be applied in real life. These real-world examples help children to see the relevance of maths and will improve their motivation.

2. Use Personalised Learning Tools 

One of the most effective ways to support your child is by using educational apps that adapt to their individual learning needs. DoodleMaths, for example, is designed by teachers and tailored to each child’s strengths and weaknesses. It identifies gaps and adjusts difficulty accordingly, making learning more efficient and personalised.

In just 10 minutes a day, pupils can build confidence at their own pace  –  and parents can track progress through the app’s dashboard.

Why it works: Children stay engaged thanks to interactive rewards and challenges, while parents feel informed and involved in the learning journey.

3. Encourage Consistency Over Cramming

Maths skills are best built through regular practice. Instead of waiting to revise before class tests, encourage your child to practice often, a little at a time. A study by the University of Bath found that this “little and often” approach can double the rate of academic progress. 

Tip: Establish a short daily maths routine. Even 10 – 15 minutes can make a big difference and tools like DoodleMaths are perfect for this kind of bite-sized learning.

4. Don’t Give Answers, Ask Questions

When your child is stuck on a maths problem, resist the urge to give them the answer right away. Instead, ask guiding questions that help them think through the question at hand. This will help your young learner to build problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding.

Try asking:

• “What do you already know about this problem?”

• “What could you try next?”

• “Can you explain your thinking to me?”

This approach will help your child to see you as a learning partner, rather than a tutor.

5. Work in Partnership With Teachers

Maintaining a connection with your child’s teacher can help you understand how they’re doing and identify areas where they may need support. Familiarise yourself with the maths curriculum and ask your teacher about how they teach key concepts. It’s often the case that strategies have changed since parents were in the classroom!

Tip: Share the tools you use at home - like DoodleMaths -  with your child’s teachers. Many schools integrate Doodle into their homework system, and when used collaboratively, it can support home learning more effectively.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your child in maths doesn’t require advanced knowledge  –  just consistency, encouragement, and the right tools. Apps like DoodleMaths give parents and children an accessible, fun way to practise and progress, while a positive mindset and home environment can lay the foundation for long-term success.

With just a few intentional habits, parents can become powerful partners in their child’s mathematical learning journey.

Article written by Charity Lisko, Discovery Education’s Vice President for International Product, Curriculum and Content