Greensborough Focus 

Numeracy & Your Child 

Mr Andrew Ericksen

Numeracy is a vital life skill which students will need to develop in order to succeed in their adult life.  It is important to note that numeracy is different to Mathematics, with numeracy being the practical application of mathematical knowledge to everyday life. When students improve their numeracy skills, they develop their critical thinking, employability and life skills.  In turn, this will help your child to build confidence and independence as they transition to adulthood.   

 

It is important to remember that mathematical/numeracy skills are not genetically inherited!  A supportive and positive attitude can make a world of difference to helping your child learn. 

 

As a parent or guardian, you can help to develop your child’s numeracy skills at home. Some opportunities include: 

  • Asking for your child to assist you during shopping. For example, “Can you find me the chicken schnitzel with the highest percentage of chicken?” “Which is a better deal, 1.5kg of loose potatoes or the 2kg prepackaged bag?” 
  • As your child gets older, you may want to include when balancing the family budget.  Talk through your expenses and explain what are the some of the financial factors your family may face (Rent, Mortgage, Insurance, etc.).  This can help students become more prepared for adult life. 
  • Set your child a challenge to find the best price for a phone data plan for members of your family.  Have your child explain their reasoning and findings to you. They should consider price, coverage and current usage trends. 
  • If you are lucky enough to take a holiday, ask your child to create a detailed itinerary. You could include timing, currency conversion and budgeting. 
  • Give your child a budget and some guidelines and ask them to plan and buy weekly groceries for the family. 

 

In our data-driven world, strong numeracy skills are important for students to make informed financial decisions.  Many young adults have face issues managing money (Car loans, payday loans, credit cards, sports gambling).  However, the more that parents and guardians can model wise decision making, the better the outcomes for their children.   

 

Finally, the Mathematical Association of Victoria has a range of resources available here for families - https://www.mav.vic.edu.au/Resources/Parents/Secondary-School-parent-support