How+to+Talk+to+Your+Children+about+Math

Math is all around us. If we ignore it, it will not go away. A sound understanding of math can be a great help to your children. It is important for us to help our children gain that understanding rather than be part of the reason that they don't. Common phrases like "I was never any good at math", or "I can't do algebra" might actually tell your child that they don't need to learn math. Children, even teenagers, often revere their parents. If you can do what you do, but you don't understand math; why do they need to try in their math classes?

Few adults would make public comments like "I never learned how to read", but many would say "I never learned algebra." Most of us don't feel the need to share all of our youthful indiscretions. Perhaps we should focus on a more positive side of our school experiences as well. We can help our children see the value of math if we help them see where we use it ourselves.

Share with your child ways you use math at home and at work. Show the geometry in architecture or the physics in a football game. Talk about your experiences when math saved you money, or maybe when it could have. Let your children help you double a recipe, calculate a savings from a sale, or even how how to calculate batting averages.

This may sound strange, but there are ways all around us, ways that fit every lifestyle, to talk about math. If you help your child see them, you can help your child like math. Who would think that a hockey game could improve your child's math scores? Why not try?