Esther Cepeda is championing the practice of discouraging parents to not badmouth their math abilities in front of their children. The author first noticed the trend several years who when she attended an orientation for her child’s middle school. The principal discouraged parents from telling their child that they are bad at the math or that it is difficult.
Esther J. Cepeda: Don’t dis math skills in front of the kids #dyscalculia
Last updated:
Parents should not provide negative feedback about mathematics.
As a former Algebra teacher, Cepeda was delighted by the request. She gives many examples of how making such statements can lead to childhood scars that haunt the child when they enter adulthood. Parents should teach their kids to love learning and stress that help is readily available from someone if they should struggle with math.
Key Takeaways:
1
Parents tend to bad mouth math and it rubs off on the child and their learning.
2
That includes telling children you are not good at math because they then will have an excuse.
3
When positively spoken about, math is easier to learn than when negatively referred to.
