How to Improve Mental Maths Skills

Mental maths helps children work with numbers without depending on a calculator or written working for every question. It can help them calculate more efficiently, check whether an answer makes sense, and approach maths problems with greater confidence.

The good news is that mental maths is a skill children can build with regular practice. They do not need long study sessions. A few focused minutes each day can give them opportunities to work with numbers in different ways.

I decided to write this after a friend asked me how children can get faster at maths without simply memorising hundreds of answers. I checked the Australian Curriculum and looked at the types of number skills students are expected to develop. This guide is mainly for primary school students, parents and anyone supporting a child with maths practice.

Why Are Mental Maths Skills Important?

Mental maths is more than answering calculations quickly. It involves understanding numbers, choosing useful strategies and knowing when an answer looks reasonable.

The Australian Curriculum places importance on mathematical fluency, which includes choosing suitable procedures and carrying out calculations accurately and efficiently. Students also need to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills.

For example, instead of calculating 49 + 26 by counting one number at a time, a student might think:

49 + 1 = 50
50 + 25 = 75

The answer is still 75, but the student has used the structure of the numbers to make the calculation easier.

Start With Number Bonds

Number bonds help children understand how numbers can be split and combined.

Start with simple combinations such as:

5 + 5 = 10
6 + 4 = 10
7 + 3 = 10

Then move to numbers up to 20:

8 + 7 = 15
9 + 6 = 15
12 + 8 = 20

Once these relationships become familiar, children can use them in larger calculations.

For example:

38 + 12

A child can recognise that 38 needs 2 to reach 40, then add the remaining 10.

38 + 2 = 40
40 + 10 = 50

This develops flexible thinking instead of relying on one fixed method.

Practise Doubles and Near Doubles

Doubles are useful mental maths facts because they can help children solve related calculations.

For example:

6 + 6 = 12

Once a child knows this, they can work out:

6 + 7 = 13

They can think of 6 + 6 and add 1 more.

The same idea works with larger numbers:

25 + 25 = 50
25 + 26 = 51

Spend a few minutes practising doubles and near doubles rather than asking children to memorise a large list of calculations at once.

Use Friendly Numbers

Some numbers are easier to calculate with than others. Teach your child to change a calculation into an easier one while keeping the answer correct.

For example:

59 + 24

Change 59 to 60 by adding 1. Then subtract that 1 from the other number.

60 + 23 = 83

This type of strategy becomes useful when working with larger numbers, money and everyday calculations.

Practise Mental Subtraction

Children often find subtraction harder than addition, especially when numbers are close together.

Instead of immediately subtracting 47 from 83, try counting up:

47 to 50 = 3
50 to 80 = 30
80 to 83 = 3

3 + 30 + 3 = 36

So 83 − 47 = 36.

This method helps children see the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Build Multiplication Fact Fluency

Mental maths becomes easier when children know important multiplication facts.

Start with patterns that are easier to recognise, such as 2s, 5s and 10s. Then gradually work through other multiplication facts.

You can also connect known facts to unknown ones.

If a child knows:

6 × 5 = 30

They can work out:

6 × 6 = 36

by adding another 6.

For a calculation such as 7 × 8, they might use 7 × 4 = 28 and double it to reach 56.

The goal is to understand relationships between facts, not only memorise isolated answers.

Use Mental Maths in Everyday Situations

You do not need a worksheet every time your child practises mental maths.

Use ordinary situations such as shopping, cooking and travelling.

Ask questions like:

1. “If one item costs $7, how much would three cost?”
2. “We have $50 and spend $18. About how much should we have left?”
3. “If we leave at 3:20 and the trip takes 30 minutes, what time will we arrive?”
4. “If we need 24 biscuits and have 8 in each packet, how many packets do we need?”

Keep the questions suitable for your child’s age and current maths level.

Make Practice Short and Regular

Mental maths practice does not have to take an hour.

Try a 10-minute routine:

• 2 minutes of number facts
• 3 minutes of mental addition or subtraction
• 3 minutes of multiplication or division
• 2 minutes of a real-life maths question

Change the questions regularly. If your child keeps making the same mistake, slow down and work on the underlying concept before increasing the difficulty.

Ask Your Child to Explain Their Thinking

Getting the correct answer is useful, but knowing how the child reached it gives you more information.

Ask:

• “How did you work that out?”
• “Could you solve it another way?”
• “Why did you choose that method?”
• “Does your answer make sense?”

This supports mathematical reasoning and helps you identify whether the child understands the calculation or is simply guessing.

Avoid Making Speed the Main Goal

Mental maths should not become a race every time.

Some children need more processing time. If you focus only on speed, a child may rush, make avoidable errors or become anxious about maths.

Start with accuracy and understanding. Speed can develop as familiar strategies become easier to recall and use.

A Simple Mental Maths Challenge for Home

Try this five-question activity:

1. What is 25 + 19?
2. What is 60 − 27?
3. What is 7 × 6?
4. What is half of 48?
5. You have $30 and spend $12.50. How much is left?

After your child answers, ask them to explain one calculation using a different method.

This takes only a few minutes, but it gives you a chance to practise calculation, reasoning and communication together.

FAQs

A tutor can identify gaps in understanding and provide structured practice based on the child’s current skills. The goal should be to help the student understand the method, explain their thinking and gradually work more independently.