You ARE a Math Person!

As we all get back into the routine of school, I encourage you to think about how you set the frame for your child’s learning. 

If you tell your child that the grade they are beginning was “hard” for you – they will enter with a perception of difficulty. Simply re-framing it as “a year you grew and learned a lot” can shift a child’s mindset.

Also, please take out of your language that you’re "not a math person!”  There are no genes that determine mathematics capacity. 

My favorite graphic about this is below:

While we all may have areas of learning we preferred and those we struggled with, our children are rich with potential. They CAN do it – and their mindset going in can have a significant impact on their ability to learn, grow, make mistakes, and take risks.

My hope?  If you used to think you weren’t a “math person” make this year a year you decide to become one!  Try, grow, make mistakes, and learn alongside your developing “math person” and embrace a family growth mindset!

Want to learn more about mistakes and learning potential?  Check out some of these resources:

•         Carol Dweck, TedTalk, Mindset:  https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en
•         What having a “Growth Mindset” means:  https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means
•         Jo Boaler, Mathematical Mindsets:  https://www.youcubed.org/