Math Matters: How your “mathitude” can have an impact on your children

The truth is, math gets a bad rap. It’s an essential skill to master, but math concepts can be difficult to grasp, and many students struggle with the much-maligned subject. Adults often speak negatively about their experience in math class. It’s common, and somehow humorous, for people to claim to be “bad at math.”
While it may be true that you barely escaped algebra and still can’t figure out percentages, chances are such an openly negative attitude is hampering your child’s confidence in the subject. Children learn and internalize what they hear from their parents.

 So when it comes to math, try these tips:
1. Share your math experience with your child, but don’t share your negativity. It’s OK to relate to a struggling student with tales of your own math challenges, but be sure to point out that in your child’s case, there are a lot more tools to help – like a parent who really cares about the child’s success, online tools and games, and tutoring assistance.

2. Infuse math into everyday activities. You might offer to give your child a percentage of the grocery money saved by clipping coupons, or ask your child to figure out the savings on a sweater marked down 25 percent.


3. Highlight math as a skill that’s both cool and profitable. Almost all careers, from interior designer to architect to engineer, include math. So if your child is allowed to dismiss math as something he or she
probably won’t ever be good at, that perceived failure closes the doors on the opportunity to go into a vast array of rewarding, lucrative careers.

4. Encourage your child to practice math. Parents encourage their kids to practice sports, musical
instruments and art, but rarely do they push math as a skill to be honed outside the classroom.

5. Take an active interest in math homework. If you’re confused about the concepts involved, stay positive and learn together. And watch the language (both spoken and body language) you use when math homework is on the table.