Does Your Child Scream: " I Hate Math "?

I’m sure that we have all issued the hatred of math at one point or another. It can be a frustrating subject at times, but what a useful one. Studies show that our children are falling behind in math skills when compared to kids from other nations. This is a very troubling statistic when you consider that they will need to compete with these children for the jobs of tomorrow (many of which will demand math skills). Exactly why do children hate math, and what can we do about it? We’re glad you asked. We hope to explore this problem, and possible solutions, in this hub you are reading. Welcome…

Where would we be without essential math skills? We would not be able to figure out change at the movie theatre. We could not determine how many spaces to move our player in a simple board game. And figuring out if you won at “blackjack”? For get it. Yes, math is essential in today’s world, so it’s important that we teach our children a love for this skill that will be essential to their future.

For starters, let’s examine the problem in its entirety. United States Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently talked about the “International Assessments of Student Achievements”. He made note of the fact that our American children are falling behind students of other countries, and this was our “wake-up call”. To not rectify this situation would put our long-term economic security at risk.

Let’s focus primarily on what this assessment states about how our children are fairing in regards to math. Our 15-year-olds have fallen behind students in 31 countries in regards to math. In these 31 countries, their 15-year-olds are swimming faster and farther, while ours are either treading water or failing to “catch up”.

We are moving into a global economy.  The terms “off-shoring” and “out-sourcing” are common place in today’s world.  The jobs of adults are going to other nations, what will the climate be like for our children?  In order for us to be strong, and stay competitive, we have to get our children ready for the global competition which is coming…

Now that we have identified the problem, what can we do to resolve the problem? Have our children learn math. That’s easier said than done, right? It’s even harder if your child happens to hate math. We need a new approach. We need new research. We need a new beginning. This hub hopes to begin the process.

For starters, we have to identify why our children don’t like to do math. The answer is not always obvious. I personally have the belief that anyone with a functioning mind can do math, it’s just a matter of training. More often than not, there is a “road block” that is preventing the child from doing well in math, and because he/she does not do well in this subject, they don’t enjoy it. Because they don’t enjoy it, they want to avoid it, and as a result, they don’t learn it. This means that they won’t get the jobs that require this skill, and children growing up in other countries will. It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it?

Sit your child down and ask them some very specific questions.  You might want to do this in a relaxing setting so they don’t feel threatened or under attack.  Why not take them out for an ice cream or a walk, and engage in a casual conversation.  This is usually the best due to the “non interview” format.

Have you heard of “plus-minus-plus”? This works great with resolving all sorts of difficulties, and helping your child resolve their issues with math is no exception. It basically falls into the following scenario:

1) Plus – Start off the conversation by stating something positive.

2) Minus – Mention the issue that needs to be resolved.

3) Plus – End the conversation with a positive note.

Got it? Let’s work through an example or two. For example, a mother might tell her son the following. The Plus Part: You are such a bright child, I’m amazed at how well you can do <fill in the blank>. The Minus Part: You keep mentioning that you hate math, why is that? The Plus Part: I’m sure we can work through this issue together.

How about another example?  This time a father will be talking to his daughter.  The Plus Part:  Hi Honey, how’s daddy’s little princess today?  The Minus Part:  I see that you are failing in math, can I ask why?  The Plus Part:  You are such an intelligent girl, I’m sure you could excel at this with my help.

These sort of questions will often get a dialog going.  The problem may be far more deep seated than you had first estimated.  For example, what if your son or daughter tells you that the reason that they don’t want to do good in math is because it’s not cool?  They might even go as far as to tell you that only “nerds” and “geeks” do good in math.  What do you do then?  A good approach is to determine who their heroes are, and highlight those that enjoy, are good at, or even love, math.  This might get them motivated in the right direction.

Sometimes children hate math because they are distracted at school and cannot learn the principles that the teacher is trying to teach them. Is there a noisy student who happens to occupy the nearby desk? If you mention this problem to the teacher, I’m sure that they will be more than helpful to find a resolution to the problem. Just remember to be discreet. You don’t want the teacher to highlight the fact that there might be a restructuring of the seating chart because your daughter wants to learn math. This might backfire and cause resentment in her peer group.

In some cases, children have a mental block against math. This is a very common problem, and perhaps the most common. There is the classic scenario of the child being asked to go to the blackboard and solve the math problem in front of them. The child is shy and reserved, and not at all used to being asked to perform in front of a public audience. In fact, they might be perfectly able to do the exact same math problem in the safety and security of their desk. Alas, this is the situation they find themselves faced with. They freeze! They raise the chalk to the board and in a vain attempt to please the teacher, write 5. Unfortunately the problem is 2 + 2. Ugggh!!! The children laugh and the teacher scolds as the hapless child works their way back to their desk. I can’t do math they work our in their own mind. I hate it!!! I hate math!!!

If this is the problem you find yourself faced with, you have a psychological problem more than a mathematical problem.  How to resolve this issue is far beyond the capacity of this simple hub.  You might want to consult other sources to help you rectify this problem.  One thing we can state though.  Love and patience conquer all.  You want to be loving and patient and supportive…this will go a long ways to having your child develop a love and desire to do math.

Another problem that our children are faced with is competition for their time. It’s a fast-paced world in which we live these days. We have televisions with a “gazillion” stations, video games 24/7, internet connections on steroids, and “who knows what else is coming”. Who wants to study math when there are so many other fun things to do?

What we need is a new approach to math. An approach that is fun and exciting. We need to get a “math stranglehold” on our kids at a young age, and never let it go. How is this possible? We think that we have come up with just the thing…teaching math to our children via the format of a comic book.

Why a comic book? Well, it’s portable and requires no electricity. It can be easily accessed anytime during the day, or under the sheets with a little flashlight. It has lots of pictures so it makes somewhat symbolic math a bit more visual.  Not only will this format help them learn math, but it will help them to learn to read as well. Two-for-one…now that’s “bang for the buck”…

At www.Math-Comic-Strips.com we have just introduced our flagship comic, the “Innovative Dr. Knowledge”. He's just a regular guy, and not a “superhero” per say, but he does solve some fantastic problems and crimes via his extraordinary mathematical abilities. When he was young he had a troubled childhood, and hated school. Through a chain of events he found himself deserted on a desert island, and it was here that he learned to do, and love math (out of necessity we might add). When he was eventually rescued he took these math skills back to the mainland, and through another series of events, he transformed himself into a "superhero" problem and crime solving machine.

Here's a sampling of the Innovative Dr. Knowledge solving a crime via his mathematical abilities:

Our children need to develop a love for math. From this love of math, a desire to learn, and the ability to master, will soon follow. Without sounding too dramatic, the future of our nation is at stake. Let’s hope we hear the calling before it is too late…