It's a given that parents want the best for their kids, especially when it comes to their education. While us, the older generation, had trusty math textbooks and TV programs like Math-Tinik (remember those days?), today's kids are incredibly lucky to have numerous options for entertaining and informative resources right at their fingertips.
One of the best places to find engaging math content? YouTube, of course!
If turning your kids into little Math-alinos sounds like a good idea, then here are YouTube channel recommendations that are particularly great for teaching math!
3 Kid-Friendly YouTube Channels That Teach Math
1. Numberblocks
When it comes to sparking a love for math in younger kids, Numberblocks is a great channel to consider. Numberblocks features episodes with vibrant and adorable characters designed to make learning basic arithmetic skills fun and engaging for the kiddos. It's great for laying the groundwork for more complex math skills later on.
What makes Numberblocks an even better choice for a bit of screentime is its collaboration with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). The show won a BAFTA for Children’s Preschool Animation in 2019, which speaks volumes about its quality and educational value.
Most of their episodes are under 10 minutes, offering just the right screentime duration for young children. It also has color-coded playlists to guide different skill levels:
- Red (Level 1): Focuses on counting up to 5, comparing and sorting numbers, and simple addition and subtraction.
- Orange (Level 2): Introduces counting up to 10, number bonds, odd and even numbers, patterns, and shapes.
- Yellow (Level 3): Teaches counting up to 20, place value, multiplication and division signs, length and weight, and the concept of money.
Here are some must-watch episodes to get started:
- Make Your Own Number Ten!
- Seven Little Ducks | NEW Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs
- Learn to Count
2. Homeschool Pop
Stepping up to the school level, Homeschool Pop is your go-to channel for elementary math skills. As the name suggests, the channel is run by a homeschool dad, which gives it a personal and trustworthy touch, making sure that it has kids in mind.
One immense advantage of Homeschool Pop is the breadth of its content. Beyond math, it also has playlists on history, geography, and general knowledge, making it a one-stop educational shop for your kids.
3. Mathantics
For those who are tackling more advanced math concepts, Mathantics is the channel for you. Geared towards intermediate schoolers, Mathantics covers more challenging math topics like fractions, algebra, algorithms, exponents, and square roots.
It's also a lifesaver for parents who might need a bit of a refresher themselves when they help their kids with their math homeworks (let's be honest, we all have that one, if not many, math topic we're rusty on! LOL!).
Mathantics does an incredible job of breaking down difficult concepts into simple, understandable lessons. Here are a few episodes that can help your child (and maybe you) navigate these complex topics:
- Algebra basics
- Mean, Median and Mode
- Multiplying Fractions
Next time your little ones need a bit of screen time, why not make it educational? Remember, the goal is to make learning math as enjoyable and interactive as possible. Who knows? With tools like these, you might just have a future mathematician in your home!
Read this article on why parents must find the balance when it comes to their kids' digital use.