- Demonstrate a positive attitude about math. Show interest and enthusiasm for mathematics in school and in daily life.
- “A Worksheet for Math-Phobic Parents” (WSJ Aug 2012)
- Advice for Parents from Professor Jo Boaler (Youcubed.org; Stanford Univ)
- Keep your expectations high. Everyone can learn mathematics. Expect your child to work hard in mathematics.
- “‘Not a Math Person’: How to Remove Obstacles to Learning Math” (KQED News 2015)
- “The Stereotypes That Distort How Americans Teach and Learn Math” (The Atlantic 2013)
- Help your child to understand that “struggle” is a good thing. Teach them about perseverance and praise effort. Foster a “can do” attitude.
- Work math into everyday conversations. Verbalize your own math thinking – including mistakes!
- Play games – board games, puzzles, mazes, blocks. Point out the math.
- Count everything — by 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 100s, 1/4s, 1/2s, .25 — forward and backward, starting from zero and other numbers.
- Read together children’s literature that integrates math.
- When helping with homework:
- Talk less. Listen more.
- Don’t do the homework — sends the message to give up when it gets hard.
- Keep the pencil in your child’s hand.
- Ask questions.
- Send back homework unfinished when it’s too hard. Teachers need to know.
Wellesley Public Schools
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