Math Myth Buster #1: “We’re just not talented at math in our family.”

When it comes to learning, there are two different trains of thought. Some people believe that their ability to learn something is fixed: determined by their IQ before they’ve even said their first word.  

That belief influences how we approach a problem. If we think that we are not good at something, we believe that our effort will have no bearing on the result as we tackle a problem. And so we stop trying. That begins a vicious cycle. Our lack of effort ensures that we fail, and we hold that failure as evidence that we are not gifted in a particular area. And so when we are faced with a similar problem, we try even less.

As math skills become increasingly important in job skills, believing you can’t learn math is particularly self-destructive.

However, multiple recent studies have shown that our ability to learn is actually not determined solely by genetics.  Hard work and motivation play a greater role than our natural talents.  A study conducted by Dr. Patricia Linehan from Purdue University found that students who believed they could get better at math the more they practiced improved at a higher rate than students who did not.

Similarly, a study by psychologists Lisa Blackwell, Kali Trzesniewski and Carol Dweck found that students who believed they could improve their intelligence by working hard actually got higher grades.

Many parents feel that their child cannot improve in math because it’s “simply not in their genes.” But there is a substantial amount of evidence that indicates the opposite is true. Math ability can be improved!

Convincing students that they can make themselves smarter through hard work is the first step in helping them improve their skills.  At Mathnasium, we accomplish this with an assessment that shows exactly which areas of math your child understands and which areas they need help with.  Then we create a personal learning plan that uses the knowledge that they have to build the skills they lack. Our students start with what they know and quickly begin to realize that they can add to that knowledge. As their confidence builds, their math ability grows.

Check out Math Myth Buster #2: "Speed is a Measure of Math Ability".

If you haven’t had a chance to learn about  the Mathnasium method, we hope you’ll schedule an appointment for a visit. Your child CAN learn math, and we’re here to help.

Sincerely,
Dave Bannen
Center Director, Mathnasium of Wildwood
636-875-1175
[email protected]
www.mathnasium.com/wildwood