Make Math Fun--Parents Need To Avoid Passing Negative Math Feelings Along To Their Child

This is a make math fun article I wrote about a common concern for parents who grew never believing that math is fun, and pretty much just hating math. They feel that they will never be able to help make math more fun for their own child. There are all kinds or reasons why people grow up with this kind of math phobia. The point is, you do not want to influence your own child and have them grow up with the same anxiety about math. This article gives you some ideas of simple habits to get into and things you can do to make math fun in your house and hopefully many negative feelings.

 

Math is Fun - Tips For Parents - Avoid Passing Your Dislike For Math to Your Child

By Sue Gnagy Fegan 

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Math-is-Fun---Tips-For-Parents---Avoid-Passing-Your-Dislike-For-Math-to-Your-Child&id=3118308

A common question found in educational forums is, "How do I avoid passing my dislike for math to my child?" These parents will cringe at the statement, "math is fun." They have an extra challenge beyond normal parenting concerns as they want to hide their dislike for math from their child. There are many reasons why an adult might have this severe dislike of math. The key issue for these parents however, is not what went wrong for them, but to put all that aside and focus on creating a positive atmosphere to make math fun for your child. The article will give a few tips to get a parent started.

Creating a number friendly atmosphere at home is important. Begin by creating a math rich atmosphere. Early picture books to read with your child should have numbers and counting and others with matching patterns games and puzzles . Watch popular PBS children's shows and quality educational DVDs . The parent who dislikes math needs to create a math is fun atmosphere for themselves as well. Begin by actively participating in all activities with your child. This way you will have some fun with early math ideas and establish a positive relationship with your child.

Once the child starts school, it is a good news bad news scenario. The good news is teachers take control of math education. If you created a rich foundation, they should be prepared to take it from there. Homework is for the teachers, not the parents, so separate yourself from correcting homework. That is the teachers job. Encourage conversation about the math homework, the student might explain what they are doing, or play school and pretend to teach you!

The bad news is you cannot disregard your quest to create a positive atmosphere at home. Finding some fun math games to play at home that match what is being taught at school will help keep the topic low key. If the parent with a dislike of math plays these fun games and activities from the get go, then they will build their own comfort level and possibly learn some math concepts for the first time, filling in holes from their own math education.

There is no reason to totally hide your feelings about math from your child. But it is not healthy to dwell on it. Something matter of fact like that math was not your favorite topic in school, but Aunt or Uncle So and So loved it, states the truth without dwelling on it. When the child has trouble with math homework one night, a confirming statement, with a hug, "I remember how it felt when I did not understand." or "Have you done the best you can?" That is all you can ask for.

Creating a positive yet rich atmosphere at home and showing how math can be used in everyday life is the best way to approach this issue. You may never believe yourself that math is fun, but you can raise children to have a positive experience.

Here is a link where you can find out about some fun math games you could have on hand to play with your child at home.  They should help make math more fun not only for your child, but help you feel better about it as well!
Make Math Fun