Program Message
As the child’s first teacher, the parent sets the tone for learning and loving math. Try not to talk negatively about math. If a child hears an adult role model say, “I’m not one of those math people,” or “I never use math,” they receive the message that only certain people can do math and that math is not important. When your child believes that only special people are born with the “math gene” or that school math does not really matter in daily life, they are not going to be as open to learning. The more often children hear cynical comments, the more deeply rooted their dislike of math becomes.
Staying positive about math will alleviate some of the anxiety that children feel around math. Children’s early math anxieties are known to snowball over time, so youngsters who are anxious about math are more likely to become adolescents and young adults who avoid math courses and math-related career choices. If you have high expectations for your child, you are more likely to set high standards for your child’s schooling. In turn, they will be more likely to transmit the values of doing well in school and to set high standards for their own children’s learning.
Contacts
Niagara Catholic Education Centre
Laura Cronshaw
Consultant: K-12 Numeracy
905-735-0240 x116