7 cheap tools that will help parents and their elementary-age kids with basic math skills

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Simple learning tools can help illustrate math concepts for children.Maskot/Getty Images

• Learning math is challenging, but the right resources can make it easier for children and for parents who often need a refresher.
• There are handy learning tools to help you and your child master math concepts, from creating multiplication tables and drawing polygons to learning units of measurement.
• My years teaching math have made me grateful for these games and activities that make math more relatable.

I've been teaching second- and third-graders mathematical problem solving for six years. In that time, I've learned that kids are more apt to enjoy math if they already have a strong foundation. Kids with a shaky foundation can get caught in a sort of negative loop. But that can be overcome with the right tools, resources, and activities.

Many studies have indicated that kids who are read to at home tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced literary skills than those who aren't. The same is true with math: The more at-home work you and your child do together, the more confident they will be. But it can be tricky if you, the guardian, are not confident in math yourself.

To make things easier, we rounded up seven products to help you and your child with basic math skills — each one reinforces or teaches specific concepts.

Here are seven math resources for kids ages 7 to 13:Read the original article on Insider