Most families read to their children before bed. Consider starting a tradition of bedtime math! It doesn't matter if it's a picture book that lends itself to informal math discussions, like Too Many Mangoes by Tammy Paikai, or a book like Bedtime Math by Laura Overdeck that you do together a little at a time. The important part is that you do it together and make it relaxing and fun.

Start noticing the math that's all around you. You are in a better position than teachers to help kids understand that yes, they really will need to use math "in real life!" If you bake with your kids, there's math involved! If you shop, understanding the math helps you save money. If your child has a special interest, chances are there's a math connection there, too. Sports are full of statistics. Art and nature are full of patterns, which is a foundational mathematical idea. Are you buying paint for your house? Dirt for the garden? Involve your kids in the math if they are old enough. The point isn't to do a bunch of math problems. It's to notice and share all the places math shows up outside of math class.

Carve out some time to play games together! After a long day at school, it's hard for many kids to come home and do more work, especially in a subject that's hard. Even letting them play "educational games" can backfire, because most kids know that the real purpose of the game is practice, not fun. The good news is that many classic dice, card, and board games help develop a wide range of math skills! Throw in yummy snacks, a relaxed atmosphere, and some quality family time, and you have the perfect recipe to nurture your child's relationship with math. No flash cards required!

Make some time when you're both relaxed to spend a few minutes talking with your child about math. Really try to understand how they feel about doing math at school, completing homework, and how they feel about themselves as a student. Don't try to reassure them or fix anything...just listen. Did anything they shared surprise you? Worry you even more?

Whether your child is anxious about math or thinks they are doing ok, the best thing you can do is manage your own emotions so you can show up calmly and role model resourcefulness when they get stuck. I know, this is waaaaay easier said than done, and it does take practice. But our kids rely on us to show them how to handle difficult situations, and this is something you can do to help them navigate through math struggles even when you aren't there. And you can do this even if you don't understand the math involved.

Finally, what would daily life look like if math were not an issue for you or your child? What would homework time look like? What doors would open up? Sometimes we become so focused on the struggle that it's hard to know what success would look and feel like. As soon as you start thinking in terms of success, you can create goals to get there. If you'd like to learn more about what I do, click here to book a free call with me and let's get started!