The Parent Problem

I, like you, have talked to many parents over the years…from formal parent-teacher interviews to informal chats in the school yard. When I say I LOVE to teach Maths… I get a reaction EVERY time.

They range from horror to mutual admiration, and everything in between.

Some parents have had really bad experiences with maths at school and have a genuine anxiety about maths (approx. 20% of the adult population experience maths anxiety).

While others, have developed a real LOVE of maths.

Along the school journey students will encounter teachers who love maths and those that don’t love it so much…that is ok… each teacher brings different skills…

BUT

The one thing that remains constant is a parent’s influence.

We must encourage and educate parents to ALWAYS remain positive about maths.

We must share with the serious implications of using throw away lines like “I was no good at maths” or “I didn’t like maths”.

You have seen what happens…

Immediately that child switches off and thinks- “mum/dad were never good at maths so its ok for me not to be too”

Maths is more than half about mindset, so having a positive attitude is a HUGE advantage. Time and time again I have seen children who, even in Year 1, have decided maths isn’t for them. ARGGHHHH!

So my advice is to always remind parents the importance of them being positive about maths.

....But, what if the parents tell you “I really HATE maths!”

Tell them to…wait for it... FAKE IT UNTIL THEY MAKE IT!

For their children’s sake, encourage them to say they LOVE maths!

I promise it will make a HUGE difference… because after all if parents love (or pretend) to love something, pretty soon their children will start loving it too… it might be a football team, a love of dirt bikes, or a love of fashion, whatever it is…children look up to parents and they have THE biggest influence on them…so as a teacher, make sure you encourage them to use that POWER for good!!