Understanding fractions is much easier when your child can visualize them. Here are ideas to help your child see – and use fractions.

Keep a Diary

     Show your youngster that fractions are a part of everyday life. For a week, have them record and illustrate each one they notice. For instance, they may write, “We had a half day of school today,” or “Mom asked for 1 1/3 pound of turkey at the store.” How many examples can your child find and draw?

Play a Game

     Have each player cut a sheet of construction paper into six horizontal strips.  They should leave the first one whole and then the cut the second one in half (fold it, and cut along the fold), and the others into thirds, fourths, sixths, and eights. With bit of masking tape, label a die: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, and “wild.” To Play, roll the die, and lay the matching piece of paper on your whole strip (for “wild,” choose any piece. The goal is to be the first one to fill your strip without overlapping any pieces (example ½ + ¼ + ¼ = 1 whole strip).

Put in Order

     Together, make a set of fraction cards, with one fraction per index card ( ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1 ¾, 2). Shuffle the cards, and see how quickly your child can put them in order. Then, while they close their eyes, lay the cards in order but leave our a few. Give them the missing cards, and have them put them where they go.