How to Help Your Child with Maths Over the Summer Holidays

Summer is a time for sunshine, fun and recharging but it can also be the perfect chance to give your child a little extra boost with their maths. Whether your child found parts of this school year tricky or you just want to keep their confidence ticking over, a little bit of regular, low-pressure practice can go a long way.

Why Summer Maths Support Matters

Many children experience what's known as the "summer slide" - where key skills fade a little without regular use. This is especially true in maths, where concepts build over time. Just 10–15-minutes of regular maths practice a few times a week can help your child:

• Keep important number skills fresh

• Build fluency and confidence

• Be ready to hit the ground running in September

• Start to enjoy maths without the pressure of a classroom

4 Simple Ways to Keep Maths Fun at Home

1. Make it Practical

Use real-life opportunities to practise maths:

• Let them help measure ingredients when baking

• Involve them in budgeting pocket money or holiday spends

• Read bus/train timetables and calculate durations

2. Play Games with a Maths Twist

Board games like Sum Swamp, Shut the Box, or even Uno are brilliant for reinforcing maths in disguise. Online games like Top Marks (topmarks.co.uk), ICT Games (https://ictgames.com) or Mathsframe (mathsframe.co.uk) are brilliant for building quick recall of number facts and times tables in a fun, competitive way that many children love.

3. Use Times Tables in Small Doses

Times tables don’t have to mean chanting! Sing along to catchy songs, test each other in the car, or use apps like Times Tables Rockstars for a fun daily challenge.

4. Little and Often

Try a quick 5–10-minute activity each day. This could be a puzzle book, a times table quiz or a short word problem. Avoid long, workbook-style sessions that can feel overwhelming.

What If My Child Lacks Confidence in Maths?

You’re not alone. Many children feel anxious about maths, especially if they’ve had a wobble at school. A relaxed summer is a brilliant time to rebuild confidence without pressure. Keep the mood light, go at their pace, and focus on small wins.

If your child is finding certain areas particularly tricky, tailored support from a tutor can make a big difference. At Little Smiles, Big Success Tutoring, I offer friendly, small-group tuition in Fareham that focuses on boosting both maths skills and confidence. Sessions are calm, supportive, and adapted to each child’s needs.