The Importance of Math

The Importance of Math

What can help your child be a well-rounded student, benefit their financial future and offer various career choices? You may guess a college education or, participating in after-school sports may be the answer. All of these are great options, but the answer is... MATH! 

Jobs that require solid math skills, specifically those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are the wave of the future. STEM jobs are expected to double in comparison to non-STEM jobs over the next few years. This will mean that by the time your child begins or graduates from high school, jobs in STEM will be looking for bright, young employees with math proficiency to fill them. Even if your child isn't planning on a math-centered career, having solid math skills will be important. Let's highlight four reasons why math with be important for your child’s future.

1) Entrance Exams

Having a math foundation will be necessary for elementary through high school, but for a post-secondary education and career as well. The SAT and the ACT may help your child earn acceptance to their school of choice, so if graduation or the pursuit of a post-graduate program is the goal, your child will likely have to take an exam as part of the enrollment process.

For example, various professional entrance exams, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to apply for graduate or business school, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to apply for law school or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to apply for medical school will require math knowledge to successfully pass the exams. If your child is encouraged to take their math courses seriously early, it will provide big dividends once they reach this stage. Emphasizing the importance of your student taking their math studies seriously now will hopefully save you from the extra costs and save your child from stress of having to play catch up in their first college math course or first job due to a deficiency in their math skills.

2) Standing Out in the Crowd

As your child grows older, it’s a good time to begin to highlight the importance of choosing courses that will reflect they are a well-rounded student. This includes math courses that challenge them. Through these challenging courses, their confidence will increase, as they realize they are gaining the tools and strategies to tackle complex concepts successfully. And, as your child begins to think about continuing their education through additional schooling or on-the-job training, having a variety of math courses on their school transcript and/or resume can help your child rise above the competition, as it shows that your child has taken the initiative to develop a certain knowledge base and skills to succeed.

3) Develops Soft Skills

Math instruction also teaches soft skills. “Soft skills” are skills or qualities that can be used across job titles and industries. These skills are gained outside of work without having to be in a specific job type or industry. Examples of soft skills include: critical thinking, communication skills, decision-making capabilities, and the ability to problem-solve. Whether your child has goals to work in a math-focused position or not, they will need to rely on their “soft” skills as well as their technical training.  Soft skills can sometimes stand in the gap where technical skill or knowledge may be lacking, so it’s important they are not overlooked.

4) It Makes Dollars and Cents

Math careers are not only expected to be in demand in the future, but the pay is higher too. In 2019, STEM jobs were paying more than double the amount in comparison to jobs classified as non-STEM, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That wage difference adds up over time!  Having math knowledge has a real currency in the real world and this statistic shows employers will pay for being good at math. Who doesn't want to get a chance to be paid well for doing something you like? Understanding the importance of math can make real dollars and cents! Underscoring the future financial benefit of math early can act as another motivatior to support the importance of math for your child, especially as they grow and begin to learn the potential value of money.

As parents and caretakers, we all want our children to be set up for success. Having a solid foundation in math will arm your child with the crucial skills needed to thrive and adapt in and out of an academic environment.  If math is not your subject of expertise, you don't have to go it alone! Our expert instructors are here to help! We can help boost your child's confidence and turn stress into smiles! We offer specialized instruction in-person and online for students in grades 2-12. Give us a call today to schedule a no-risk free assessment for your child and get a head start preparing for their future.