From Ordinary to Odd: Teaching Kids Everyday Math Skills

“Why do I have to do this?” If you’ve ever helped your kids with their math homework, you’ve likely heard this phrase at some point. Sometimes parents and caregivers struggle with an answer and may reply with a simple,  “just because” or “so you can practice the math.” But it’s important to help your kids see the bigger picture that math is an important skill we use in everyday life. Plus, it can be super interesting and fun!

That’s why “Odd Squad” is not just a show about math, but a show full of humor and problem solving. When facing wacky situations, this group of kid agents “solve the odd” through teamwork and perseverance. They might be catching the destructive “fluffy tuffy” creature running loose in headquarters or trying to stop a train from disappearing into a portal to another dimension.

“I think that it’s important to help kids feel empowered to approach math, and one thing that “Odd Squad” does well is make it fun,” said Chris Loggins, production manager for the series. “The writers present these funny scenarios where math is really the solution, and you can’t solve it without using whatever that specific math concept is from that episode.”

Mathematical thinking isn’t simply about finding numerical values or knowing how to use a calculator. It involves life skills like problem solving, executive functioning, and often social skills like collaboration. Everyone needs to know how to work through a challenge from start to finish and show perseverance.

“In math there is a right answer, but there can be many different ways of getting at that right answer,” said Emily Helfgot, a former teacher who has worked as an educational consultant for the show for several seasons. She explained that while math may have one answer, you can get there through story telling or visuals or by creative problem solving. “We all approach things differently.” 

Math can feel intimidating sometimes. Perhaps a math concept takes longer to learn or feels hard. As the parent or caregiver, try to not let your own past experiences or difficulties with math get in the way. Tell your child that it’s understandable to get frustrated when feeling stuck. If that happens, you might suggest that they take a quick break. Maybe get a snack or do a dance. Then try again. Don’t give up!  

“Productive struggle is such an incredibly important thing, whether it’s math or writing or riding a bike,” said Helfgot. “You don’t want something to be too easy. You don’t want something to be too hard.” Remind your child (and yourself!) that you can still learn valuable lessons even when it’s a struggle. Remember to celebrate your kids once they get through it!

"Television is a way to connect with people and then to take it further beyond just the screen time," said Loggins. Just like the agents discover on “Odd Squad”, math can be found everywhere. Here are some ways to engage with your kids by using math in daily life. Show them it doesn’t have to be serious or boring. Have fun with it!

Play games. Board games and card games often involve adding or subtracting cards, counting your moves on the board, or determining the score. It doesn’t have to feel like homework to strengthen math skills.

Let them navigate. Figuring out how to get from one place to the next is a huge life skill and math skill. “Odd Squad” talks about distinguishing your left and right by remembering if you are left-handed or right-handed and then creating directions from there. Using context clues like landmarks or signs is also a part of understanding navigational tools. Ask your kids to direct you where to go on a walk or while driving to school. See if they can tell you when to turn left or right, regardless of the street signs. If they give a wrong direction, take it anyway and see if they can solve the problem—unless you’re already running late!     

Sort it out. Sorting and organizing can be easily done while grocery shopping or doing laundry. Have your child group similar items together in the cart or when they empty the laundry basket. Sorting could be done by color, shape, pattern, or size. Ask them why they organized things the way that they did and then ask them to consider how they could sort it another way. Or, have your child categorize things like they would in a Venn diagram to find which items overlap in multiple categories. 

Ask questions. “I think we (especially parents) want to get it right,” said Helfgot. “If you just ask a very open-ended question, it’s amazing what kids will come up with.” In the show, Agent Obfusco is often challenging his fellow agents with questions that make them stop and think in order to figure out the answer.  

Watch “Odd Squad” together! “Every once in a while, really sit down with your kid and watch the show with them, whatever the show is,” said Helfgot. “Have that fun time together watching something that is funny and will make you learn something and then have that common language with your kid to be able to talk about later.” 

Check out the latest episodes of “Odd Squad” here!