With job opportunities expected to grow in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, many parents want their kids to excel in math. A 2023 Global Strategy Group survey for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found that 93% of parents (and 94% of teachers) agreed that kids that do well in math often grow into more successful adults.
However, the 2024 Nation’s Report Card found that students across America are struggling with math. 12th-grade reading and math scores reached their lowest point in decades, with only 22% of 12th graders scoring proficient in math. For 8th graders, only 31% of students were proficient.
A strong math foundation can help kids build thriving careers, so it’s critical for parents and educators to work together to help students succeed in math. But for parents, who often bring their own math anxiety to homework sessions with their kids, helping kids get excited about math can be a challenge. Here are five ways educators and parents can team up to make numbers less scary.
1. Invite Parents To Observe A Math Class
In some states and school districts, parents are allowed to be a guest in their child’s classroom, but few take advantage of this due to time limits and the hassle of getting observation requests approved. But it’s possible that your child is being taught math differently than how you learned it growing up, especially if English isn’t your first language. Reach out to your child’s math teacher for a conference about concepts that might be a struggle for your child—and you. If you’re a teacher, consider inviting interested parents to an observation day so they can see what your child is learning in math.
2. Make Math Lessons More Relevant
The easiest way to encourage your kids to enjoy math is to show them how to apply it to their daily life. For example, asking young children to group blocks in ways that help them count them more quickly—or showing kids how math can be applied to daily tasks like cooking, counting money or in measurements for home improvement or craft projects—can make it seem relevant and interesting. Teachers can work real-life examples into lesson plans, and parents can introduce them during bonding time with kids so the concepts feel less intimidating.
3. Schedule (Or Promote) Family Math Nights
Especially helpful for children in kindergarten and for those ages 5-11, organizing a math night is a great way to foster community engagement and instill a positive attitude about math in kids early. National PTA’s STEM+Families program offers guides for PTAs and schools to run STEM nights with fun stations that can help kids get excited about math.
4. Educate Parents About The ‘New Math’
Most parents feel anxious about their relationship with math. While past experiences can play a part, another reason is that the way it is taught today is much different than in the past. Instead of memorizing procedures without understanding why each approach works, common core math helps young learners explain their thinking, work with other students and visualize problem solving. To help parents understand the way math is being taught, schools can consider hosting a math tutoring night for parents to make them feel more empowered about modern methods.
5. Read Kids Stories With Math-Related Themes
Whether it’s books that encourage counting, shape identification or math-related stories, getting younger children used to engaging with math content can cultivate a curiosity and growth mindset around the subject. Encourage your budding number-cruncher to read books that revolve around math themes. Biographies on people that have careers in STEM fields could also inspire a desire to study math. You can also donate your favorite math-related books to their classroom library.
