Children who have struggled in math at school may actually be afraid of math. Although they know that Mathnasium of Littleton will help them with math, it won’t be easy for them to walk through our doors the first few times. They will have to muster up courage. Your reassurance and encouragement will help. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel taking swimming lessons after almost drowning? That first step into the pool would take a lot of guts. Your rational mind would know you need the lessons, but that wouldn’t stop you from feelings of fear and anxiety. That’s how some students feel about math, especially if they have been “drowning” at math in school. At Mathnasium of Littleton, we recognize that many of our students have strong negative associations with math. We do our best to put them at ease.
Encouragement Before Opening the Door
Before opening the door to our center, tell your children how proud you are of them for coming. Ask them if they prefer you to stay at the center (we have a small parent waiting area) or if they are OK if you go run an errand. Some children feel comforted by their parents’ presence, however, parents are not encouraged to interact with their children during their assessment or instructional time for various reasons. If parental support was working, most of our students would not be attending Mathnasium. Let your child know that we start them off at a math level where they feel comfortable. We use their initial assessment to know right what that level is. Then we proceed at the pace they need. Our experience shows many children just need some extra time and practice to master topics that have stumped them at school. If they are bringing in school work, we will break the problems down into bite size pieces until they are manageable.
Children often worry that they will make mistakes. Unfortunately, children often get the idea that mistakes are bad. Reassure them that at Mathnasium of Littleton, we celebrate mistakes. In fact math is all about discovery and that usually involves making mistakes! As the writer James Joyce stated, “Mistakes are the portal of discovery.”
Some children worry other kids will mock them for attending Mathnasium. Every child at Mathnasium is on their own math journey. Some of our students, but not all, are below grade level in math. Some of our students are actually far above grade level and come for extra challenges. It's reassuring when a child sees a peer from school and remarks to their parent, "I didn't know so and so went here! They don't struggle with math!" Students at the center don’t know at what level others are working. Plus, there is no shame in getting help when you need it. Athletes don’t hide it when they need extra coaching. We hope our students don’t hide it either.
After They Exit Our Center
Celebrate your child’s courage to go to Mathnasium. Tell them AGAIN how proud you are of them that they are taking steps to learn and overcome their fears. That’s not easy! If you can, take them for a special treat. Watch as, day by day, their feelings about coming to Mathnasium improve. Many parents are shocked at how quickly a reluctant child turns around and is excited to come to Mathnasium! One day they may actually ask to come more often. That’s when you know anxiety has been replaced with relief.
Still Feeling Uneasy?
Start with baby steps. Bring your child into our center to meet our center director, Suzie, and to take a quick tour of the place. They will see how relaxed and fun our atmosphere is. Please give us a call first at 303-979-9077, so we know to look for you and Suzie will have time to meet with you personally. Be sure to tell us about your child’s math anxiety and challenges. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Related and referenced articles:
Mindset: Encouraging Mathematical Reasoning and Creativity
Every Child at Mathnasium of Littleton Gets Recognized for Achievement
What Math Tests Reveal About Your Child
How do Mathnasium’s Mission and Guiding Principles Impact Your Experience at Our Center
Use Praise Correctly to Increase Math Confidence
5 Ways to Overcome your Own Math Anxiety and Stress and Help Your Child
Parents and Teachers: Empathy and Excuses are Not the Same
Math at Mathnasium of Littleton is Easy
Does Your Child Have a Math Disability?
Why Some Middle School Kids Act Like They Don’t Care
Why do Kids Sometimes Goof-Off in Math Class?
Get Inspired by Olympians Wilma Rudolph, Jackee Joyner-Kersey and Cody Miller
Give Children a Break
Does Your Child Need a Math Coach?
Mathnasium of Littleton an Emotionally Safe Environment for Math
Meet Suzie – Center Director at Mathnasium of Littleton
Don’t Be Alarmed if Your Child Doesn’t Beg for Extra Math Lessons …at First
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