Why Do Children Hate Math? (And How to Fix It)
It’s a well-known fact that most schoolchildren dislike math. They don’t listen nor participate in math class, they “forget” to do their multiplication homework, or they groan when you make them do some required algebra reading. It is quite alarming how one school subject developed such a bad reputation among students, enough for them to shun mathematics altogether and forget its importance in later life.
As parents to these youngsters, we want them to like and enjoy math, not just for them to do well in school but also for them to see how learning math develops many life skills that prepare them for the future. Before we can help our children love math, we first need to reach the root and understand why they hate math in the first place. Listed below are some reasons where this hatred and fear of math come from.
- Math is not being taught enthusiastically in school. Math differs from other school subjects because, at first glance, it is a very technical field. Other subjects like Biology or English, while also technical, can easily make use of visual materials and real-life examples for a more engaging way of teaching. Traditionally, mathematics is taught straightforwardly, which makes the subject appear difficult, boring, or impractical. Extra effort must be given to make mathematics engaging and easier to understand, but rarely is this extra effort given in schools.
- There is no encouragement for children to learn the hard lessons. Even when Math is taught properly and enthusiastically, it is still a very difficult subject to master. There are several concepts that need to be understood and difficulty increases in higher math courses, so it is normal for a child to get lost somewhere along the way. Without proper encouragement, their learning pace may slow down and their attitude towards math may change into “something too hard for me to handle”. When they find it harder to understand the key concepts, encouragement from their peers, their teachers, and their parents is needed to help them get back on track.
- They do not see the importance of studying mathematics in the real world. In our modern, techy world, children often lose interest in mathematics when they realize that you can just use a calculator or a computer to solve their math homework. Or they don’t see how learning about these equations in the classroom could be applied in other fields or in solving real-world problems. Many fields, however, are dependent on math concepts to answer their questions, such as physics, engineering, and even biology. And more than helping build a better understanding of our world, math also develops our problem solving skills, hard work, and diligence – all of which are needed for our children to succeed in the future.
- The negative perception on mathematics hinders children from learning. The general attitude of people towards math is that it is altogether difficult and stressful. While we cannot take away other people’s “bad” experiences with math, the bad things we say about math discourage our children from trying their best with the subject or even trying at all. What they need are supportive statements from their peers and teachers that elevate math; that while math may at times be difficult, their capabilities and hard work are enough for them to overcome the subject.
- They associate their bad experiences with the subject. Children do not just wake up one day suddenly hating math. Their disliking for the subject is learned throughout their years of bad experiences with math. All of the factors mentioned earlier contribute to give the subject such a bad reputation among its students. They may be associating the subject with a terror trigonometry teacher, a failed math exam many years before, or a boring algebra class. For children to forget their bad experiences with mathematics, they need to be exposed to a different learning system or environment where they can develop a new liking for the subject and see the true value of mathematics in their lives.
Several factors contribute to children disliking math, to the point that they hinder themselves from mastering the subject and developing some important life skills. One of the easiest and most effective ways to help your child love the subject is to have them learn mathematics in a healthy, productive, and encouraging environment. We at Kinetic Math Enrichment Center pride ourselves in effectively teaching math and helping children of different ages discover or rediscover a love and appreciation for mathematics.
Kinetic Math offers group MATH sessions with a 1:3 teacher-student ratio. These programs’ progression from a learning task to guided practice to independent practice not only boosts the child’s confidence and fosters the child’s interests in Math but also enables the child to develop understanding of mathematical concepts. For questions and inquiries, you may visit or contact us at:
3rd floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St. corner 2nd Ave., Crescent Park West, BGC, Taguig
09179642244
285 P. Guevarra St., San Juan City
09668149165
2nd floor, FBR Arcade, Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
09954592600
Email address: kineticmath@yahoo.com and kineticmathonlineclass@gmail.com
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Twitter: @KineticMath
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Website: www.kineticmathcenter.net