The Homework Shock

When my son Sam started Grade 4, I thought homework would be a breeze. After all, I had gone through calculus and statistics back in school — surely multiplication and fractions wouldn’t scare me.

But here’s the truth: the way kids learn math today is different from how we learned it. The methods are new, the language is updated, and the focus is on why things work, not just on memorizing steps. That’s wonderful — but it also meant that sometimes, even I was lost.

The first time I felt stuck was when Sam brought home long division. He told me, “That’s not how we do it in class,” and showed me a method I’d never seen before. I realized I needed a new way to help him — one that matched what he was learning in school.

A Little Extra Help at the Table

That’s when I decided to use the same digital helper I often rely on for my own work. I began typing Sam’s math problems into it and asking for explanations “the way a 9-year-old would understand.”

For example, Sam had a fraction question:

“Liam baked a cake and cut it into 8 slices. He ate 3 slices. What fraction did Liam eat?”

He got 3/8 easily, but struggled when he had to compare it to another fraction. I asked my helper:

“Explain this to a 9-year-old with a drawing.”

It suggested showing two chocolate bars, one divided into 8 parts and one into 4. Sam immediately saw how 2/4 is the same as 4/8. His eyes lit up — and I knew this was working.

Making Math Fun

Soon, our study sessions became creative. I’d ask for explanations using Sam’s favorite things:

• Minecraft example:
  “Explain 6 × 7 as if it’s about Minecraft blocks.”
• Sports example:
  “Show how 5 × 9 works using football goals.”

Numbers stopped feeling like numbers — they became part of his world.

We even made it playful:

• Quick quizzes with a timer:
  “Make 10 multiplication questions for a 9-year-old, one minute challenge.”
• Word problems from real life:
  “Make 5 math problems about baking cookies with fractions.”
• Treasure hunts at home: each clue was a math problem leading to the next room. The “treasure” was chocolate coins — and Sam didn’t even notice he had practiced math for an hour.

The Confidence Boost

The biggest change wasn’t just better grades. It was Sam’s attitude. Before, he’d get frustrated and shut down when he didn’t understand. Now, he knew we could always find a new explanation. No embarrassment. No pressure. Just patience.

It also helped me as a parent. I didn’t have to pretend I knew every method. I could admit, “I’m learning this too,” and that honesty made it feel like teamwork.

Final Thoughts for Parents

If you’ve ever sat at the table staring at your child’s homework and thought, “I don’t remember learning it this way,” you’re not alone. But you don’t need to be a perfect tutor.

What helped us was:

• Asking for explanations in kid-friendly language.
• Turning problems into games or stories.
• Connecting math to everyday life.

Most importantly, I stayed beside Sam. The extra help never replaced me — it just gave us tools to learn together.

And you know what? I learned a few math tricks myself. Turns out, Grade 4 math can teach parents too.

👉 If you’re a parent struggling with homework time, try asking for explanations in your child’s favorite theme — football, Minecraft, baking, or anything else. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the lightbulb goes on.