The latest Education Data Report shows that in 2023/24 only 39.7% of Year 11 students passed the relevant subjects, including English and Maths. Year 11 is a critical year: it is when children in Cayman finish their IGCSE or CXC external exams. Without a pass in these critical subjects, students cannot go on to take A Levels, nor get a scholarship, and will not be offered a place at university. The lack of these fundamental skills also leads to longer-term academic underachievement in the Cayman Islands. What then, can parents do to help and support their children? How can they help them gain a solid understanding of early maths, and how early can you start? This article explores effective ways to support your children in the first eight years of their mathematical journey.
We spoke to Tesa Ramsay, a maths specialist at Baobab Education in Grand Cayman who said that “Early maths skills are the building blocks of future learning. When children develop a strong number sense—understanding how numbers work, recognising patterns, and making connections—they gain the confidence to tackle more complex maths later on. Parents play a vital role in this journey, and the best part? It doesn’t have to be formal lessons. Simple, playful moments—like spotting numbers on signs, comparing snack portions, or clapping out rhythms—make a world of difference."
We also spoke with Dr Kurt McKenzie who has dedicated his whole life to mathematics and is the founder, co-owner and senior tutor at 100% Math. He believes that when children are taught not just how to get answers, but how to justify them, they begin to think critically, reason logically, and grow in self-belief. He wants to inspire all children to see maths as much more than just another subject at school. He believes that if taught well, mathematics can become a language that children can use to solve real problems in their world.
"At 100% Math, we believe every child, whether they’re struggling or soaring, deserves support that’s tailored to their learning journey. Through our mentorship we help students build confidence, develop strong habits, and reach their full potential. For gifted learners, we go beyond the curriculum, encouraging them to explore mathematical proofs and ‘big ideas’ from an early age."
Create a Maths-friendly Home
Starting young, weave maths into the flow of everyday life.
1. Introduce Maths Games
Measure things while cooking, point out shapes and colours when going for a walk, look at a pile of twigs on the ground and point out how many there are, bake something and ask them if they are going to eat the whole thing or would they rather have half of it, or maybe only a quarter. Try using bottle tops or shells and pretend they are money during imaginary play, or arrange them in different ways to make patterns. Build structures together out of differently shaped wooden blocks or magnetic tiles; this helps support spatial reasoning. At the same time, you can also practise identifying colours and shapes. Puzzles are also great for spatial reasoning and for sparking conversations about colour matching, shapes and rotation of pieces. Talk about whether this toy/fruit/vegetable is larger than or smaller than another similar item. Introduce the idea of more than and less than. These are the very early building blocks of addition and subtraction.
2. Encourage a Positive Maths Attitude
Always speak positively about maths and don’t introduce the idea that it is hard or that you were never able to do it. A child’s mindset towards maths can significantly impact their performance, and parents play a vital role in shaping their attitude to it. Remember that the goal is not perfection but progress—every small step builds a strong mathematical foundation!
Establishing a Strong Foundation
Introducing maths early gives your child a strong foundation, making the subject easier and more enjoyable to study at school. Data has shown that children who struggle with foundational maths concepts often face difficulties in more advanced topics. Therefore, during the preschool years, as well as in the early stages of primary school, we suggest the following which will help to support your child’s foundational learning.
1. Focus on Number Sense
Help your child develop an understanding of numbers and the relationships between numbers. Focus on identifying quantities, and count these together. Look at basic shapes and talk about colours. Use songs, rhymes and interactive games to introduce early maths concepts.
2. Encourage Hands-on Activities
Building with blocks or sorting objects by size and colour is fantastic for teaching spatial reasoning which is the ability to visualise and manipulate objects in the mind. Spatial reasoning is a skill needed not just for mathematics, but also art, physical education, science and engineering.
3. Teach Subitising
‘Subitising’ is a complicated word for a simple concept. It is the ability to instantly recognise the number of objects in a group. Subitising helps children recognise number patterns, whether it’s dots on dice or dominoes, finger patterns, or spaces in a ten frame. Learning to identify (and eventually visualise) these patterns is a critical step in building a strong number sense and supporting flexible mental maths skills later on. The internet, and YouTube are awash with ideas on how to teach subitising. At Little Trotters Farm & Nursery, for example, they teach the Karen Wilding Early Years Maths programme which is all about subitising. See www.eymaths.co.uk to learn how effective it is for young children.
Early Primary School Years (4-8 years)
This is when children really get stuck in to consolidating the early maths concepts. You can take this to the next level at home by playing number games with them and also getting them to practise their maths skills on a computer or app-based maths programme.
1. Start teaching your child skip counting
Skip counting allows children to count more efficiently, grouping objects in a way that helps them find the total amount without losing track. Counting by twos, fives, or tens is both faster and encourages children to see patterns in numbers.
2. Help with times tables
Buy an inexpensive multiplication poster for the wall and put it somewhere that your child will regularly see it, for example, at eye level opposite the toilet. Put another in their playroom or on their bedroom wall. A child who knows all their times tables has a huge advantage and it makes division significantly easier.
3. Practise addition, subtraction and early problem-solving skills with your child
Use simple items that you can find around the house like Matchbox cars or bottle caps. Alternatively, you can simply use your fingers.
4. Introduce practical applications of Maths in daily life
Measure ingredients while cooking, calculate shopping totals and compare prices.
5. Encourage mental Maths and estimation skills
Regular practise will help speed up their recall time. Have your child do 20-30 minutes a day on IXL Learning, Rocket Math, Math Bingo, or Maths-Whizz.
6. Encourage a problem-solving approach
Maths is not just about memorising formulas; it is about developing problem-solving skills which will be invaluable throughout life, not just in lessons.
7. Promote persistence
Encourage your child to keep trying even when it is difficult, reinforcing resilience and perseverance.
Seeking Extra Support When Needed
If your child is struggling despite your support, consider seeking additional help.
1. Communicate with Teachers:
Teachers can provide insight into areas where your child needs improvement.
2. Hire a Tutor:
A private tutor can offer personalised guidance and explanations. They will make sure your child understands something before they move on.
3. Use Online Learning Platforms:
Websites like Khan Academy, IXL Learning, BBC Bitesize, and Mathletics.com offer structured learning support.
4. Join a Study Group:
Learning with peers can boost motivation and understanding through collaboration.
Supporting your child in maths is not just about helping with homework; it’s about fostering a positive attitude, building strong foundational skills, and making maths an enjoyable and practical part of everyday life. By encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and persistence, you can help your child develop confidence and competence in mathematics. Whether through games, real-world applications, or extra support, your involvement as a parent plays a crucial role in their mathematical success.
