10-Minute Daily Exercises to Improve Mental Maths Skills

There are moments when quick calculations matter, whether it’s figuring out a discount at a store or solving simple problems on the go. Strong mental maths skills can be a great advantage without pen and paper.

Mental maths isn’t just about speed; it strengthens logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The good news? Helping your child improve doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming! 

With just 10 minutes of daily practice, you can boost their confidence and numeracy skills through fun and engaging exercises.

In this blog post, we will share simple, effective strategies and quick maths activities that parents can use to make learning enjoyable.

Let’s explore easy ways to turn your child's everyday moments into exciting mental maths challenges!

What is Mental Maths?

Mental maths refers to the ability to perform arithmetic calculations in the mind without using paper, calculators, or other aids.

It involves quick thinking, pattern recognition, and memory recall to solve mathematical problems efficiently.

Strengthening mental maths skills helps children improve concentration, boost problem-solving abilities, and gain confidence in handling numbers.

10-Minute Daily Exercises for Parents to Help Their Child Improve Mental Maths

Practicing mental maths doesn’t require hours of study. Just 10 minutes a day can bring noticeable improvements.

Below are ten engaging exercises designed to strengthen different aspects of mental arithmetic.

1. Skip Counting

Help your child practice skip counting by numbers like 2s, 5s, or 10s. For example, have them count by twos: 2, 4, 6, 8, and so on. You can do this with objects like buttons or coins to make it more fun. 

Skip counting helps kids with multiplication and division. Start slow, then gradually speed it up as their confidence grows, making them quicker at mental maths.

2. Mental Addition

Practice simple addition with your child by giving them two numbers to add in their heads. For example, ask, “What is 15 + 9?” Start with easy numbers and gradually increase the difficulty. 

You can make it a game, asking your child to race against the clock to solve each problem quickly. This helps with both speed and accuracy when adding numbers mentally.

3. Subtraction Using Number Lines: 

To help your child understand subtraction, use a number line. For example, start with 15 and ask your child to subtract 7 by counting back on the number line. 

This visual method supports mental subtraction. Over time, as your child gets better, encourage them to solve subtraction problems without the number line, relying on mental calculations alone.

4. Multiplication Tables Practice

Help your child learn multiplication tables up to 12 by practicing them regularly. You can turn it into a fun quiz, asking your child questions like “What’s 6 times 8?” 

Start with easier tables and move to harder ones as they improve. This regular practice helps increase their speed and confidence in solving multiplication problems in their heads.

5. Quick Division Exercises:

Start by explaining division as the process of splitting a number into equal parts. Begin with simple problems like 24 ÷ 4. Encourage your child to think of how many times 4 fits into 24. 

They can use counting or grouping objects to visualize the problem. Gradually increase the difficulty by introducing larger numbers like 36 ÷ 6 or 72 ÷ 8. 

As your child becomes comfortable, encourage them to solve these problems mentally without writing anything down. This builds their confidence in performing division quickly and efficiently.

6. Word Problems

Use real-life situations to create word problems. For instance, “You have 10 apples and you give 3 to your friend. How many do you have left?” 

These problems encourage your child to think about math in everyday situations and solve it without writing it down. Word problems help build problem-solving skills and improve mental math abilities.

7. Estimating Sums and Differences: 

Teach your child to estimate answers by rounding numbers. For example, ask, “What is 37 + 47, rounded to the nearest ten?” 

Estimation helps them solve problems faster and more easily. By rounding the numbers first, they can focus on a simpler version of the problem. This skill is helpful in daily situations like shopping or measuring ingredients.

8. Math Flashcards

Use flashcards with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. Show your child the cards one at a time and ask them to solve the problem mentally. 

You can time how quickly they answer each one to make it a fun challenge. Flashcards are a great way to reinforce mental math skills and build speed in solving problems.

9. Number Bonds 

Use number bonds to improve your child’s mental maths skills. Start with basic numbers, like 10, and ask them to find different pairs that add up to that number, such as 2 + 8, 3 + 7, and so on. 

As they get comfortable, increase the difficulty by using larger numbers. Number bonds help your child understand addition and subtraction relationships, improving their mental calculation speed.

10. Place Value Practice

Teach your child to work with different place values, such as ones, tens, and hundreds. Ask questions like, “What is the value of the 3 in 356?” or “How many tens are in 740?” 

This exercise strengthens their ability to break down larger numbers mentally. It also helps them quickly calculate and estimate numbers in real-life situations like shopping or budgeting.

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Over four interactive classes and two skill-boosting tests, the program is designed to align with child development needs while making learning enjoyable.

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