How to Make Your Kids Not Hate Math

We have a crazy amount of influence on our kids. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. We can shape a child's interests or passions by fostering talents and creating opportunities, but we also can impose fear or dread by subliminal influences.

Every week I meet with parents who share their goal of advancing their student in math. Maybe their mathlete is behind or maybe they are the next Bill Gates. Often I hear, "I'm terrible at math so I can't help them" or "I hated math growing up, so I am the wrong person to help." 

When it's just us talking privately, not a problem. We are just being honest and discussing a game plan to help.  The goal would be to keep this unnecessary tidbit out of the ears of the children. It contributes to "learned helplessness" and an out for not trying their hardest, as if "math hate" is an inherited trait. 

With other activities in life, not being good at something opens a door to finding another interest to pursue your greatness.  If I am not great at football, maybe I'm good at karate. Experimenting is exciting and how we all identify hobbies and grow as individuals. This is totally not applicable to math. You can't quit math. It not only is the only exit to school, but it is a life skill that makes a direct impact on adulthood (careers, financial literacy, retirement savings, investments, budgeting, balancing checkbooks, forcasting).

With our youngest mathletes, set the course in a positive direction. If the slippery slope is already there, it may be time for reinforcements!  At Mathnasium, we have done an amazing job of turning that thinking around. Our tailored programs help elementary students, prealgebra, algebra, integrated math, geoetry and up!  Whether your student is in high school or middle school, it isn't too late to fill in gaps and change attitudes.

Definitely hear you kids out. Get to the bones of their issue: Is it lack of basic skills? Is it the problem solving? Is it the math vocabulary? Process and procedures? The rules? Finishing in proper form? Efficiency?

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