COMMON ARGUMENTS FOR LEARNING LOTS OF MATH
1. We live in a technical world and need lots of math.
On the contrary, the more technical the world gets, the LESS math we actually need -- computers, calculators and cash registers do all the math for us!
2. Math teaches you to think logically.
This is the same argument they used to give for learning Latin! Math is a good tool for people who already think well, but it doesn't MAKE you think more logically. Math is promoted because it's easy to test!
A LITTLE BIT GOES A LONG WAY
How much math do you remember? That's how much you need to know!!! (funny how such an obvious statement usually eludes us)
Children only need to understand the BASIC concepts; then they can just look up the rest (and it will look familiar) if they need more for a particular career or course. In Algebra, all you need to know is how to find "x." In Calculus, most of the basic formulas can be learned in three weeks -- the rest just build on the basics.
Practical math is what motivates kids to learn!!
WAYS TO APPROACH MATH
1. History of math: Mathematics has been pretty static through the centuries, unlike science, which is based on completely disproving what was accepted previously. The history of math is really interesting.
2. Language of math: Many mathematical terms have been integrated into language ("parallel", "perpendicular", etc.). Interesting to see how mathematical concepts affect our language.
3. Visual and hands-on:
4. Practical connections: You learn in order to accomplish something else (money, probability, etc.)
5. Pursue the abstract: Fun!
The latter two depend on the type of learner you have.
The overall gist is that most kids honestly do NOT need that much math to get by, unless they choose professions in a scientific field. As long as they learn the basics, anything else they need to learn will come easily later on, when necessary. Let them enjoy math games, and do practical applications (not only money problems but also integrating math in science lessons, where it is most applicable. If your child can do science, he/she can do math).
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