How can I Teach my Child about Fractions?

Fractions. The word may sound complex, but understanding fractions is crucial for primary school children. Let's explore why this subject is vital and why investing quality time in it during a child's early years can bring significant benefits. To begin, watch our brief video below where Alison explains how fractions are present in our daily lives. Then, we'll provide some strategies to make fractions more accessible for young learners.

What is a Fraction?

Quizzes on Fractions

• KS1 Maths - Fractions of Length
• KS1 Maths - Fractions of Shapes
• KS1 Maths - Equivalents
• KS2 Maths - Fractions (Year 3)
• KS2 Maths - Fractions (Year 4)
• KS2 Maths - Fractions (Year 5)
• 11+ Maths - Fractions (Easy)
• 11+ Maths - Fractions (Medium)
• 11+ Maths - Fractions (Difficult)
• KS3 Maths - Equations
• KS3 Maths - Add & Subtract
• KS3 Maths - Multiply & Divide
• GCSE Maths - Fractions
• GCSE Maths - Percentages
• GCSE Maths - Powers

The term fraction is used in various contexts to denote a small part or proportion of something. In mathematical terms, it refers to a numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g., ¹⁄₂, 0.5). It's essential to focus on the precise definition provided by the Oxford Dictionary:

Fraction (noun) - a numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g. ¹⁄₂, 0.5)

It's crucial to understand that 1, 58, 250, and 999 are all whole numbers, whereas what we're discussing here is a PROPORTION of something larger.

Why are Fractions so Important?

Fractions are to mathematics what spelling is to English – fundamental building blocks. Reading to children is well-documented as the best grounding in English, but discussing fractions and engaging in fraction-based games are equally effective ways to give children a strong start in mathematics.

Mathematics revolves around the relationships between numbers, often relying on fractions. Our challenge is to remove the fear associated with the topic, guiding children from simple concepts like halves (¹⁄₂) to more complex ideas like E = MC²!

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How can I Start Teaching my Child about Fractions?

The first fraction children usually encounter is a half. Sharing a chocolate bar equally is a good introduction to numeric relationships – your elder brother gets exactly the same amount as you!

Take advantage of these early encounters with fractions. When dividing anything into two equal parts, avoid generic terms like "parts" or "portions" – explicitly use the term Half.

The next step is demonstrating the more complex concept of a quarter. Divide a chocolate bar into two equal parts and then each of those into two equal parts. It's crucial for the child to see four portions of EQUAL size, each known as a quarter.

Understanding halves and quarters can begin before proficiency in counting to 10. Look for real-life opportunities to showcase these concepts. Your child will become accustomed to evaluating quantity relationships and start understanding fractions long before encountering the dreaded term!

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At What Age Should I Start Teaching my Child Fractions?

With your assistance, your child will likely begin learning to count between the ages of 2 and 5. When confident with numbers up to 10, introduce the concept of parts of a whole. Show examples and ask them to identify fractions – the part of a whole circle that is coloured, for example. Encourage them to articulate fractions like Half, Quarter, Third, Five-eighths.

Patience is crucial at this stage. As adults, we easily visualize fractions and their representation of portions, but we must remember how challenging these concepts were for us as children.

Play with fractions in various ways. Whenever items are grouped, divide them into two sections and ask children to identify the proportion of the whole in each section, e.g., a third and two thirds. Use anything at hand – pens, marbles, conkers, sweets, business cards, screws – the more varied, the better. This way, you'll teach the child that proportions and fractions apply to almost anything.

From KS2 onwards, fractions wiill be fundamental to children's understanding of mathematics but they are particularly important for the key milestones of 11-Plus and GCSEs.  The sooner a child starts coming to grips with the concepts of "parts of a whole" the better.  Let's be honest, children seldom regard fractions as the most riveting school subject but we like to think that our quizzes make the subject a little more bearable!

How can I Teach my Child to Write Fractions?

All the previous work focused on conceptualizing fractions; the next step is learning to write them. Show the child more fraction examples (e.g., a circle with one-third coloured) and ask them to write it down. For instance, if you show them two boxes, one coloured, explain that as there are two boxes, 'two' is the 'bottom part' of the fraction. Only one box is coloured, so 'one' goes in the top half of the fraction. Clarify that 1 over 2 is how we represent a half. Repeat this for quarters and thirds.

Is it Ever too Early to Start Teaching Fractions?

Explaining mathematical concepts is logical and easier than explaining linguistic anomalies like the 'k' in 'knife.' However, grasping these concepts takes time. Starting the process of teaching fractions early increases the likelihood of your child excelling in maths.

For further reading, you might want to explore the authoritative article on Teaching Fractions with Understanding: Part-Whole Concept.

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