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Unlocking Student Engagement: The Key to a Better Relationship with Math

You’ve sat beside your child at homework time, feeling your stomach clench as simple math problems become impossible mountains to climb, knowing they’re working ten times harder than their classmates just to keep up. You’ve watched them freeze when asked to think critically or solve a problem in a new way, and you’ve wondered if you’re the only parent carrying this weight.

Laura Lurns Last updated March 26, 2026 · 7 min read

Unlocking Student Engagement: The Key to a Better Relationship with Math

You’ve sat beside your child at homework time, feeling your stomach clench as simple math problems become impossible mountains to climb, knowing they’re working ten times harder than their classmates just to keep up. You’ve watched them freeze when asked to think critically or solve a problem in a new way, and you’ve wondered if you’re the only parent carrying this weight. That mixture of heartbreak and helplessness you feel isn’t weakness or overreaction—it’s your instincts telling you that something needs to change. And if you’ve spent late nights searching for answers while everyone else sleeps, wondering if you’re the only parent who feels this way, I want you to know: you’re not alone, you’re not imagining it, and your fierce love for your child is exactly what they need most right now.

Understanding Student Engagement

Student engagement is a crucial aspect of learning, and it’s essential to understand what it means and how to foster it. Engagement is not just about students participating in activities or showing up to class; it’s about them being actively involved in the learning process, trying new things, and taking risks. When students are engaged, they’re more likely to build a better relationship with the subject matter, in this case, math.

As the speaker points out, engagement is a behavior that requires students to believe in their abilities, take action, and persist in the face of challenges. This is where the concept of “believe, behave, become” comes in – students need to believe they can learn, behave in a way that supports learning, and become the person they want to be. This mindset is critical in helping students overcome math anxiety and develop a growth mindset.

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Unlocking student engagement is the key to building a better relationship with math, and it's not just about motivation, but about students participating, showing up, and doing something.

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The Importance of Growth Mindset in Math Education

A growth mindset is essential in math education, as it helps students view challenges as opportunities for growth and development. When students believe they can learn and improve, they’re more likely to engage with math and persist in the face of difficulties. This mindset is critical in helping students overcome math anxiety and develop a positive relationship with math.

As the speaker points out, engagement is not just about students participating in activities; it’s about them being actively involved in the learning process. This requires teachers to create an environment that supports student engagement, provides opportunities for students to take risks, and encourages students to view challenges as opportunities for growth.

For more information on growth mindset and how to foster it in students, check out our resources on Growth Mindset and Confidence.

Strategies for Fostering Student Engagement in Math

So, how can teachers foster student engagement in math? One strategy is to provide opportunities for students to take risks and try new things. This can be done by incorporating games, puzzles, and other interactive activities into math lessons. Another strategy is to encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and development.

Teachers can also use language that supports student engagement, such as focusing on effort rather than ability. For example, instead of saying “You’re so smart,” say “I can see you’re really trying hard.” This helps students develop a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for growth.

For more information on strategies for fostering student engagement, check out our resources on Problem Solving Skills and Logical Reasoning.

What the research says

As we dive into the new year, it's essential to address the recurring theme of student engagement. Teachers and educators often express concerns about students' lack of engagement, motivation, and participation in learning activities. However, it's crucial to recognize that engagement is not just about getting students to "do stuff" or "try harder." It's about creating an environment that fosters a growth mindset, encourages effort, and helps students develop a better relationship with the subject matter.

The concept of "believe, behave, become" is particularly relevant here. Students need to believe that they can learn and grow, but that's not enough. They must also engage in new behaviors and experiences that challenge their existing beliefs and skills. This is where the "becoming" part comes in – it's the process of internalizing new knowledge, skills, and attitudes that ultimately lead to growth and improvement.

One of the key challenges in promoting engagement is the way we talk about learning and intelligence. Research has shown that praising students for being "smart" can actually create pressure and lead to a fixed mindset. Instead, we should focus on praising effort, persistence, and progress. This helps students develop a growth mindset and understand that intelligence and ability can be developed through hard work and dedication.

So, what can we do to promote engagement and create a growth-oriented learning environment? First, we need to recognize that engagement is not just about the student; it's also about the teacher and the learning environment. We need to create spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, and experimentation. We need to provide opportunities for students to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.

Second, we need to focus on building relationships and trust with our students. When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to engage and participate in learning activities. We need to take the time to understand their interests, strengths, and challenges, and use that information to create personalized learning experiences.

Finally, we need to recognize that engagement is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. We need to continually monitor and adjust our teaching practices to ensure that we are meeting the diverse needs of our students. We need to be willing to try new approaches, take risks, and learn from our mistakes.

In conclusion, promoting engagement and creating a growth-oriented learning environment requires a multifaceted approach. It involves recognizing the importance of effort and persistence, creating spaces that encourage collaboration and creativity, building relationships and trust with our students, and continually monitoring and adjusting our teaching practices. By working together, we can create learning environments that foster engagement, motivation, and growth.

Key takeaways

Engagement is a behavior, not a feeling: . It's about students participating, showing up, and doing something, rather than just feeling motivated or interested.
The "believe, behave, become" mantra is key to growth: . Believing in one's ability, engaging in new behavior, and becoming a new person are all interconnected, and engagement is a crucial part of this process.
Engagement is not just about math, but about building a better relationship with math: . By engaging with math, students can build a better relationship with the subject, and develop a growth mindset that will serve them well in all areas of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, student engagement is a critical aspect of learning, and it’s essential to understand what it means and how to foster it. By providing opportunities for students to take risks, encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities for growth, and using language that supports student engagement, teachers can help students develop a positive relationship with math and overcome math anxiety.

Remember, engagement is a behavior that requires students to believe in their abilities, take action, and persist in the face of challenges. By fostering a growth mindset and providing opportunities for students to engage with math, teachers can help students become the person they want to be.

For more information on math education and how to support student engagement, check out our resources on The Core Skills of Math and Number Sense.

Let’s be clear: the system is designed to keep you waiting in the wings, feeling helpless while your child struggles. But that design can’t survive a parent who refuses to accept it. You don’t need anyone’s permission to help your own child. You don’t need credentials or certification to be the most powerful teacher your child will ever have. The deficit language that teaches children they are ‘broken’ cannot survive a home where growth is the only identity allowed. You are not powerless. You are the variable the limitation industry didn’t account for. Your child isn’t a diagnosis waiting to be managed—they’re a brilliant mind waiting for someone to believe in their capacity for growth. That someone has always been you. You just needed someone to remind you that you never needed permission to be their champion.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.