Why Learning Math Is SO Important

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We’ve all heard it a million times before.

“Why do I need to learn math? When will I ever use it again?”

The truth is that you may never (surprise!) use trigonometry or college algebra in paper and pencil problem-solving scenarios again in your life.

However, it IS true that you will use your math problem-solving neuron pathways every day for the rest of your life.

Not because you will have real life story problems to solve every day.

And not because you can’t get a job or learn a trade without a degree in mathematics.

You need to learn the math for all of the secondary benefits that come with learning mathematics and problem solving.

How Learning Math Develops Brain Pathways

Humans are born with most of the neurons already in place in our brains, but they are unconnected.

For the human brain to develop we need to create neuron pathways between the neurons.

Brain imaging of a newborn baby shows comparatively very few connected neuron pathways but throughout their life brain imaging will show an increasing number of pathways being created, especially within the first few years.

We create neuron pathways as we engage in tactile and meaningful activities that incorporate the five senses.

Playing with blocks, learning to kick a ball, and putting puzzles together are all activities that help children generate new neuron pathways.

As children get older and begin to develop their talents, they keep creating more and more pathways.

The human brain does not fully develop until about age 24 for women and 30 for men, but even after that we still create new pathways when we learn something new or engage in tactile activities.

Even elderly people who are learning a new skill are creating new neuron pathways in their brain.

Learning how to solve math problems in school translates to millions of new neuron pathways being created in a child’s brain.

It is SO important to be well-rounded with a child’s neuron development to keep their brain healthy and functioning during their lifetime.

Remember all of those math story problems?

It turns out that knowing how many apples Sally has left is not the important part; developing the neuron pathways to solve the problem are what are important!

Long after the math lesson is over, those neuron pathways are there to stay.

How Can I Help My Child Be More Successful In Math Class?

As long as learning mathematics is critical for well-rounded child brain development, there will always be a need for parents and teachers to find ways to make learning math more engaging and fun.

Elementary, Secondary, and High school teachers do a phenomenal job of creating fun and interactive curriculum and tailoring it to the needs of their students.

I am constantly blown away by how much effort teachers put into their job on a daily basis.

The best way to help your child be successful in math (and to help their teacher) is to make sure that you know what their teacher’s expectations are.

If your son’s math teacher requires daily homework assignments to be turned in, make sure that he has them done every night before bed and gets it turned in the next day.

Make sure you read and understand the teacher’s class syllabus at the beginning of the year so you know how the classroom is managed.

For example, some teachers allow students to use their homework or class notes during test taking (but only if they completed them).

Knowing and understanding how the classroom works will help you and your child succeed better in math class.

How Do I Help My Child With Completing Their Math Homework?

There comes a point in most parents’ lives when they can no longer help tutor their child during math homework because it becomes too hard or they don’t remember learning it.

My children are still young so I haven’t hit that milestone moment but I definitely know it’s coming.

This is where having a Math Teacher for a husband comes in really handy.

I have already told him and our kids that one day soon he will be helping them with their math homework every night.

However, we both know that most parents are not Math Teachers and need to have free tutoring resources available.

My husband began making free videos of how to solve simple algebra problems and posting them to his Math YouTube channel.

It was so successful that he started recording his lectures (especially the Test Reviews) so that his students could watch the lesson again if they needed to or if they missed a class for whatever reason.

He teaches at a secondary school during the day and college classes in the evenings so he has taught everything from Seventh Grade Math all the way through College Algebra.

He has created and compiled hundreds of math tutoring videos over the years and loves to hear that they helped his students and/or their parents.

If you know anyone that has a math student please feel free to Subscribe and share his Math Tutoring YouTube channel with them for help with their homework and for a better understanding of various math concepts.

No one said parenting would be easy (insert tornado of chaos here) but it is reassuring for parents to know that free mathematics tutoring videos exist to help their children.

Learning and developing those neural pathways are critical for healthy brain development so proactive parents find ways to help their child be more successful in learning mathematics.

It is important to distinguish between supporting your child’s efforts and replacing your child’s efforts.

The worst thing a parent can do when it comes to helping with math homework is to do any of it FOR them.

This does not support a child’s learning in any sense of the word.

Teaching our child to be Responsible by understanding classroom expectations, paying attention in class and turning things in on time, and then knowing when and where to ask for help with math problems will set them up for success in the math class and teach them a healthy pattern of successful student behavior.

Childhood is an amazing journey to watch unfold before your very eyes.

Every part contributes to the health and well-being of your child…….. even, and maybe especially, Math Class!

Don’t forget to share this article with family and friends who have math students!

Friends don’t let other Parent Friends be frustrated with their child’s Math Homework! Ü