Have you ever used a broken or ineffective tool? The tool can be anything from a dull knife, an outdated phone, or a remote needing new batteries. I bet you got frustrated every time you used the tool. Maybe you didn’t get it fixed right away because you knew some tricks to make the tool semi-functional. When you finally fix or replace the ineffective tool you open up a whole new world of efficiency and satisfaction. You wonder, “Why did I wait so long to get it fixed?”
Now imagine your struggling child’s math skills as that broken tool. It functions, but barely. Perhaps your son is missing a foundational skill, your daughter has a learning gap, or your child has learned shortcuts too soon or which no longer apply to the math they are doing. Maybe they are holding on to bad habits. Now take a few moments to walk in your child’s shoes. Every day you go to math or science class and you have to get out that ineffective tool. Often your friends watch you struggle and you feel embarrassed. You may even start to think you hate math. Instead of blaming the tool, you associate the tool with the activity. Would you enjoy an activity, like sewing or cooking, if your tools such as the sewing machine or stove, didn’t work well? We bet not.
At Mathnasium of Parker, many of our students come to us using ineffective tools. We are the repair shop for math skills. We dismiss the idea that some kids are just bad at math. That is a complete myth. Every child can do and understand math. We know some kids do have to work harder at it than others, just like some kids have to work harder at dribbling a basketball with their hands but seem to easily dribble a soccerball with their feet. Your attitude, as the parent makes a world of difference. You may want to read some of our earlier articles about the importance of parental attitudes.
Parents and Teachers: Empathy and Excuses are Not Equal
Mathnasium of Parker Encourages Girls and Young Women to Pursue STEM Opportunities
I Don’t Understand the “New” Common Core Math My Kid is Learning
What Math Tests Reveal About Your Child
Mindset: Encouraging Mathematical Reasoning and Creativity
And, you may want to bring your child in for a FREE diagnostic math assessment so we can see if their math skills tool is broken or dull. Call us at 303-840-1184 and schedule your 2-hour appointment today! We're open all winter break!
This article was written by and owned by Cuttlefish Copywriting, www.cuttlefishcopywriting.com . It is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Parker has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should contact Heather at [email protected] before using it.
