Teaching kids to love Math
Are you one of the many people who dislike Math? You’re not alone. There are a lot of different reasons why a lot of people hate Math but mostly it could come from a series of bad Math experiences in school. Some may have had a stern Math teacher, or some difficulty understanding some concepts, etc. In my case, however, I acquired it.
When I started grade school, I remember I enjoyed Math but most of my classmates dreaded it. Plus our Math teacher wasn’t so encouraging, she was scary herself. Then I realized that I was starting to dislike Math just like most of the kids in school. I hated it when our Math teacher in 3rd grade would pit us girls against the boys in a flashcard challenge. The game was to test how quickly we could add or subtract 2-digit numbers. Not only was it a test of our aptitude in Math but also of our confidence and stability under pressure. Curiously, I didn’t hate this game whenever we played it with my siblings and cousins at home. So why did I hate it in school?
Back in college, I hated my accounting class. Not that I even tried, I didn’t give myself a chance to learn the basics because my mind was already wired that I disliked Math. I was only forced to study it when my teacher almost dropped me out of his class for my numerous absences. It was then that I realized accounting wasn’t that hard after all, what was I thinking? Why was I running away from it?
Now, as a mom, I don’t want my daughter to acquire that dislike in Math. That’s why whenever I tutor her at home, I always make extra efforts to make Math learning fun. I use props like popsicle sticks, toys, play money, and animal cut-outs to represent numbers. I also cut out letters C,L,X,V, and I and use them in teaching my daughter the Roman numerals. I also stretch my patience because scolding her for missing a few points wouldn’t help. I believe that when your child is having fun in learning, he or she absorbs the lesson faster and retains it longer. Plus, she’ll look forward to your Math sessions everyday. And if your child enjoys Math so much, he or she won’t easily be dissuaded by classmates to dislike Math like they do.
True enough, my daughter exhibits good grades in Math. She currently attends advance Math classes every Saturday with a few classmates and so far, her first test result on this special class was very impressive. And it was music to my ears when she told me, “Mom, I love Math!”
Posted in Family and Parenting
August 1st, 2009 8:06 pm
Oh boy do I agree with you. As someone who homeschools, it can be challenging finding a way to teach that will make it fun, and interesting. You named some excellent ways.
August 1st, 2009 10:01 pm
i am happy for your approcah rochelle, true, a lot of those who fears Math were a result somehow of gotten scared in their math class, i am glad i just have very inspiring math teachers in elementary that helped me until college. my fearful teacher then was in art, how much she humiliated me for my painting was not the same as what she wanted it, instead of crying and sulking from her humiliating words, i told myself i will never be her and my math teacher asked me to write a poem over my painting and we displayed it in class. as a result it is my grade 5 math teacher who helped me not to hate arts and still believe in my work, aside of course from inspiring me to really do math well.
i am happy for your daugther, i am glad she loves Math, your effort really helped her a lot. I love Math very much too, and know what, I always am proud to say my mom is part of that influence
August 2nd, 2009 4:39 am
Math is usually not a popular subject so I’m happy to hear that your daughter already loves Math.
I try to teach my 4 year old through playing games. I try to turn anything into an addition and subtraction problem. Hopefully, this will make it easier for him when he’s older.
August 2nd, 2009 10:24 am
i am glad to hear that you are reaping the fruits of your labor, well done to you! i am one of those that hates math. yes, primarily the teacher is scary enough and i find it hard to grasp some concept involved in solving mathematical problems/equation in general…ha!ha!ha!
but,thanks be to GOD, my 6 years old daughter is proving to excel on it under the tutelage of her doting dad!