As a child, I had a fear of math. While I learned my basic facts in elementary school well, my middle school foundation was not strong as it could have been. My parents were scared of math, but with support from other family members, I was able to overcome my fear of math and see its beauty.
However, many students learn to be afraid of math and never have the opportunity to overcome this fear. While not everyone goes on to work in a STEM field, math is present in all occupations. Building a strong numerical fluency is crucial for students of all ages, including adults!
Parents play a key role in encouraging their child’s learning in all subjects, including math. Finding math-based activities and games is one way to encourage learning in and out of the classroom. Building a relationship with your child's teacher is another huge element in making learning a more comfortable environment. Showing your student that you and their teacher are a team is essential to helping them succeed in math.
“Just as math anxiety can be a barrier to learning, an optimistic approach from parents can set children up for a lifelong appreciation of math. Letting your child know that you are there to support, encourage, and even learn alongside them instills the confidence necessary to succeed in an increasingly high-tech world. When you and your child both embrace math as a tool that you use every day, there’s no limit to the fun you can have learning and practicing together!”
To learn more about how parents can help students overcome math anxiety, check out Mathnasium’s blog post. Here you will find other tips on how to help your student become more confident about math. To set up a free assessment and trial session, please contact us at 203-757-1234.
