How to turn every child into a “math person”

Math Ability is not fixed at birth.

 

The following facts run contrary to the idea that math ability is genetic.

 

2007 National Institutes of Health Public Access twin study, using very transparent methods, revealed that genes account for about 32% to 45% of mathematical ability at age 10. That means, the remaining 55% to 68% of mathematical ability can be attributed to other means.

 

The other theory is The “love it and learn it” hypothesis. This hypothesis has three elements:

 

1. For a person, the more time spent on thinking and practicing math, the higher the math skill achieved.

2. The people who love math, spend more time thinking and practicing math.

3. Math love also depends on genes.

 

If the “love it and learn it” hypothesis is true, it gives a simple recommendation for someone who wants to get better at math: spend more time thinking about and working on math.

 

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