Helping parents with maths homework

After more than 30 years in the classroom, including time as an acting principal, Penny McGann knew parents were struggling to help their kids with maths homework.

“I’d get messages from them saying, ‘We’re not doing maths this week, it’s causing too much drama,’” she recalls.

“It wasn’t just about the kids struggling – it was a cry for help from the parents, too.”

Penny saw the root of the problem: the way maths is taught in schools has changed dramatically over the years, leaving older family members feeling out of their depth.

“Even in the latest syllabus, which has only been in place for about two years, there have been terminology changes,” she says.

“Parents were just starting to understand the old terms, and now there’s a whole new set.”

Recognising the gap, Penny created MathsBites – an online resource designed to give parents the tools and confidence to help their kids with maths.

Why MathsBites works

MathsBites provides short, easy-to-understand videos that explain the methods used in classrooms today.

“Parents are busy, they don’t have time to sit through long sessions,” Penny explains.

“That’s why most of the videos are under seven minutes. They’re designed to be quick, clear, and practical.”

The key to MathsBites is not just explaining how to solve a problem but why it works.

“As adults, we jump straight to the most efficient strategy because that’s what we’ve learned,” Penny says.

“But kids need to understand all the steps that lead up to that efficient strategy, otherwise they can’t apply it independently.”

Penny gives the example of a parent struggling to explain fractions.

“One mum messaged me after watching a video and said, ‘Oh my god, this makes so much sense — why didn’t I learn it like this?’

“That’s the goal – helping parents understand so they can explain it clearly to their kids.”

How MathsBites works

MathsBites is available for a one-time payment of $99 per child, giving parents unlimited access to the full library of resources.

“You could sit down with a bag of popcorn and binge-watch the whole thing if you wanted to,” Penny jokes.

“But realistically, it’s designed for parents to dip in and out of as needed.”

The platform covers core concepts from kindergarten to year six and is structured around the New South Wales curriculum, but Penny points out that it’s applicable to parents and kids across Australia.

“The underlying maths concepts are the same,” she says.

“It’s about helping parents speak the same language that’s being used in the classroom.”

Parents can search for specific topics like addition, subtraction, or fractions and find clear explanations of the methods used in schools.

“It’s not about sitting down and doing more homework, it’s about embedding these concepts into everyday life,” Penny says.

“If you’re at the shops and your child asks about splitting an orange in half, you can explain it in a way that aligns with what they’re learning in class.”

Building confidence for parents and kids

One of the biggest benefits of MathsBites is the confidence it gives parents.

“One parent told me it was so nice to finally understand the language teachers use,” Penny says.

“That’s what this is about, giving parents the confidence to help their kids without feeling like they need to become teachers themselves.”

Mathsbites is designed to be simple and stress-free.

“Parents don’t need another thing on their plate,” says Penny.

“It’s just a helpful tool – a little topping on the ice cream, not the whole tub!”

Penny also ensures that MathsBites stays up to date.

“I’m constantly checking the syllabus for updates,” she says.

“If anything changes, I update the videos, so parents always have the latest information.”

Penny has created more than just a set of videos, she’s built a bridge between school and home.

“Parents don’t need to feel helpless anymore,” she says.

“MathsBites gives them the knowledge they need to help their kids succeed, and maybe even enjoy maths along the way.”

It’s MathsBites 1st birthday and to celebrate we’re having a sneaky little sale. From 5-19 March, a subscription is only $75. Use the code MRSH at the checkout.

For more business stories:

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.