By Mary Ann B. Henson, School Principal III, Siclong ES

The Covid-19 pandemic became a health threat globally. It has affected a lot of basic
sectors including the education sector. Learners are not able to go to school to study and require
to do physical distancing and stay at home. The government developed long-distance blended
learning so that learners will still be able to study at home amidst pandemics. It is mandated to
control coronavirus spread and provided a surprising opportunity to recognize the importance
of technology in our everyday lives. Teachers need to adapt their teaching techniques in
modular and online learning brought by the new normal scheme of education. They are in need
to regularly communicate to parents for cooperation and initiate many approaches to motivate
learners over screens including with lessons about Mathematics.
In this time of the pandemic, several parents have to accept responsibility for their
children’s learning at home. Parents need to assist their children at home in doing blended
learning activities in different subject areas depending on what grade level their children are
at. Working parents divide their schedules on attending their work as well as the guidance to
their children. The situation of learning at home challenges the parents on how to deliver
teaching modules to their children, especially in Mathematics subject. Before the pandemic,
mathematics homework is frequently stressful or not successful for both children and parents
and that pressure happens between home and school in learning Mathematics. Understanding
the experience of parents at home learning Mathematics during this new normal has
implications for positive learning connection between home and school in the future.

Several parents today normally engaged in the home learning of mathematics. They
testify a variety of opinions about the quality of mathematics work and support of the teacher,
and there was a connection between common stress intensities and negative thoughts. Some
parents support their child’s mathematics learning thru online mathematics programs, about
which they were very positive. Likewise, parents of younger children are more positive about

the overall home-learning experiences of mathematics, but the crisis passed to several pre-
existing issues. It has implications for mathematics home learning in the future; it is suggested

that schools attend and listen to parental feedback regarding the quality, quantity, and level of
mathematics work. Furthermore, schools should consider ways to deliver effective teacher
support and accompany some stakeholders in teaching children with mathematics learning.
In many places here in our country, the general situation of many parents is in average
living, on which they split their time to earn money and at the same time in assisting their
children in doing modules in mathematics, schools implemented academic ease by providing
Mathematics activities in their modules which are lessened depending on the level of children’s
skills. Teachers are actively passionate in answering queries of parents and children on
Mathematical issues of their lessons thru group chat, cellphone calls, text messages, and
sometimes, video calls. There are also times that teachers teach parents and learners some
lessons in Mathematics that are difficult for them. Regular monitoring of the teachers on the
level on the numbers of children and applying various best practices in Mathematics may help
learners to increase their numeracy level and started to enjoy Mathematics
There are several virtual Mathematics training on capacitating teachers on different
Mathematical skills in the Department of Education that can be used in teaching mathematics

at home through parents or knowledge providers. These are the common activities during face-
to-face learning delivery but now can apply at home and virtually thru different platforms.

Teachers’ understandings in virtual training are also discussed to parents in an easy way of

technique so parents can easily understand and applied to their children. Some examples are
the different learning activities in mathematics that can help enhance children’s mathematics
skills, especially at the primary level.
Some of the best practices that can be used in teaching numeracy at home are the
following: “Hataw sa Math Morning Exercise,” wherein children do the different steps of
physical exercise in their home together with the members of the family while reciting the table
of multiplication. This activity will help to learn and master the multiplication table, especially
for grade two (2) to three (3) learners. Next is the 4Fs Happy Habit, wherein learners at the
home answer the window card in a given time pressure according to the grade level. This
activity can be used by parents to practice the skills in basic operation facts of the children.
Another is Math-Luto, which is the basic learning of children and parents while preparing
ingredients for cooking. The number of ingredients may be used to enhance children’s
Mathematical skills through questions and answers out the ingredients. This may apply to any
grade level as long as parents will guide the children in cooking and apply precautionary
measures. Lastly, “Tinda- tindahanan,” is one of the exciting Mathematics activities for
children at home. Parents make a play store where different items are displayed with a price.
This activity may help children in four (4) basic operation facts and at the same time learn how
to use money wisely. It depends on the parents on how children cooperate on the activities.
More activities can be done to develop the numeracy of our learners even they are at home.
What important is, the collaboration between parents and teachers on how to deliver teaching
mathematics to our children’s learning.