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The Role of Parents in Comforting the Child in Maths

 


The Family Ecosystem and Math Perception

Mathematics is the science of recognising, understanding, appreciating, creating and using patterns in day-to-day life, business, sciences, work life, and technology.

In Indian society, joint families are still not uncommon. Many people may be involved in “taking care” of the same child in their own ways—interacting, influencing, or interfering in the child’s growth and development. Often, one family member is delegated the responsibility of handling the child’s studies. How children perceive studies, and mathematics in particular, is greatly shaped by this person.

Children are natural imitators. They absorb the behaviours, beliefs, and tone of their immediate influencers. This creates either a profound opportunity or a hidden threat. For instance, when parents casually remark that they were not good at math, or share traumatic stories about their own math teachers, they unconsciously plant fear in the child’s mind. This should be consciously avoided.

Parental Behaviours That Harm

• Comparison of Scores: Comparing marks with siblings or peers can damage a child’s self-image. Some children have later-blooming math abilities—especially when concepts like algebra arrive. They must be given space.

• Public Reprimand: Scolding or insulting a child publicly—whether at home, functions, or during school visits—can lead to rebellion or withdrawal from math altogether.

• Unrealistic Expectations: Pressuring a child beyond her capacity, especially with public shame and performance comparisons, becomes emotionally unbearable.

• Overexposure at a Young Age: Sending 3-4 year-olds to tuition just to ‘catch up’ can backfire. Developmental readiness matters.

• Peer-Pressured Misalignment: Admitting a child with no math aptitude into IIT coaching due to peer pressure—despite the child’s natural interest in art—can lead to burnout, mental health issues, or worse. The same effort could help the child excel in an arts-focused path.

Positive Steps Parents Can Take

We’ve seen how parental influence can limit a child’s ability to learn math. But equally, positive parental involvement can unlock great potential.

Beyond avoiding harmful patterns, parents can:

• Spend quality time with the child 
• Encourage a balanced study routine and general discipline 
• Explain informally where education and effort can lead 
• Attend school meetings and build rapport with teachers 

Above all, using warmth and common sense, parents can help their child enjoy math rather than fear it.

Useful Video Resources for Parents

1. 9 Tips to Improve Concentration: https://youtu.be/LFIiW5BQP00 
2. 5 Step Formula for Focus and Progress: https://youtu.be/n4VL_nR3wEA

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