3 Ways Parents Can Support Their Children’s Math Development — And Soothe Their Own Math Anxiety

3 Ways Parents Can Support Their Children’s Math Development — and Soothe Their Own Math Anxiety

Performing calculations to determine a tip may appear to be a simple task, but for many adults, it can be so anxiety-inducing that they rely on calculators to do it for them. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as math anxiety by researchers. Extensive research over the span of 60 years has shown that both adults and children experience this fear of math, which can hinder their performance and lead them to avoid careers that involve math. A recent survey conducted amongst 400 teachers who participated in the MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge, organized by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, revealed that 68 percent of these teachers believe that the lack of confidence is the primary obstacle to their students’ success in math.

This presents a significant problem, as parental support plays a crucial role in their children’s development of math skills. Not only does math anxiety hinder parents from assisting their children with homework, but studies have also found that students perform worse in math when their parents themselves exhibit high levels of math anxiety. Nonetheless, it is vital for parents to actively engage in their children’s math education, as emphasized by Julianne Herts, a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago studying math anxiety. Herts states that parents tend to view math as solely the responsibility of schools, whereas they recognize reading as a shared responsibility. Nevertheless, it is well-known that the quantity and quality of math exposure at home significantly contribute to children’s math achievement in the future.

Extensive research has indicated that a child’s math skills prior to starting school serve as the most influential predictor of their future success in math, even surpassing the predictive power of early reading skills on later reading achievement. Consequently, parents play a vital role in acting as teachers and creating an environment where math is prevalent and enjoyable. Here are several research-backed strategies that parents can employ to establish such an environment and facilitate their children’s mathematical development.

Firstly, when it comes to early learners, Beth Casey, a research professor at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education, emphasizes the importance of introducing math concepts as early as possible. Casey asserts that developing a sense of confidence is a key factor in reducing math anxiety. Alongside teaching children to count, parents should encourage their young ones to grasp the concept of quantities. This can be accomplished by asking children to identify the number of objects in a group. Casey’s research discovered that children as young as 3 years old who received this kind of coaching from their parents exhibited better performance in preschool and first grade compared to those who did not. For example, parents can begin with a group of three pennies and have their children determine the quantity. By adding or removing a penny, children can observe how the group becomes larger or smaller, respectively.

Furthermore, Casey advises parents to incorporate math into daily activities whenever possible to familiarize children with math concepts. For instance, parents can count the number of food items at the grocery store, toys during playtime, or cars while driving. Additionally, it is crucial for parents to intervene when their child makes a mistake in math. Instead of simply providing the correct answer, parents can ask questions that allow the child to solve the problem themselves. For example, if a child mistakenly claims that 8 plus 3 is 10, a parent can inquire about the sum of 8 plus 2. This corrective approach enables the child to actively engage in problem-solving rather than passively receiving the correct answer. If a child becomes frustrated or upset, it is advisable to step back and focus on reinforcing what the child already knows before introducing new concepts.

To address parents’ own math anxiety, there are various strategies available. Writing about anxious feelings before a test has been found to improve overall performance, as it helps disrupt negative thought patterns, according to a study. Furthermore, research suggests that anxiety can enhance performance, but only if the person experiencing the anxiety believes it to be a powerful tool for success. As underscored by Julianne Herts, it is important for parents to relax, view math as a fun activity, and incorporate it seamlessly into everyday life to prevent it from becoming a stressful experience.

Incorporating math into activities beyond homework assistance can significantly impact children’s attitudes towards the subject. For example, researchers discovered that parents who utilized the iPad app Bedtime Math to read math passages to their children experienced a notable increase in their children’s math achievement over the course of a school year. Furthermore, this tool also aids math-anxious parents by providing them with a structured approach to support their children’s learning.

The University of Chicago researchers have created a collection of valuable resources called "Becoming a Math Family" that offers parents a guide on engaging math activities to do with their children. These activities are based on solid research and aim to teach math concepts effectively.

One activity included in the resource is called "Checkout Line Estimation" and is designed for children aged 8 and above. It is a math game that families can enjoy while grocery shopping. Parents can teach their children how to round numbers to the nearest dollar, and then challenge them to estimate the total grocery bill before checking out.

Another activity, known as "Patterning With Objects," involves gathering household items like silverware and arranging them in a specific pattern, such as fork, knife, spoon. Children can then explore creating patterns using other objects, such as fruit, to match the arrangement of the silverware.

If you are interested in more math activities that are backed by research, be sure to check out "Becoming a Math Family."