Let’s be honest, we all want to shield our children from the difficulties of life, including the struggle with maths. It’s instinctual, and it comes from a place of love and protection. But what if struggle is not something to avoid, but rather, a necessary step on the path to maths success?
When children encounter challenges in maths, they’re not just learning about numbers; they’re also learning about resilience, determination, and the value of hard work. Here’s why struggle is not just inevitable but essential for maths success.
1. Struggle builds resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep going despite difficulties. When children face challenges in maths and learn to overcome them, they’re building resilience. They’re learning that it’s okay to struggle, and that they’re capable of finding solutions even when things are tough. This is a valuable life skill that goes far beyond the maths classroom.
2. Struggle fosters a growth mindset
A growth mindset, a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that our abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. When children struggle with maths, they have the opportunity to develop a growth mindset. They learn that maths ability isn’t fixed, but something that can improve over time with practice and persistence.
3. Struggle encourages problem-solving skills
Struggle is a catalyst for problem-solving. When a maths problem is easy, children can often solve it without thinking deeply. But when a problem is challenging, they have to engage their problem-solving skills. They have to look at the problem from different angles, think of different strategies, and sometimes even learn new concepts to find the solution. This process not only helps them become better problem solvers but also deepens their understanding of maths.
4. Struggle leads to deeper understanding
When children struggle with a maths problem, they’re more likely to remember the solution because of the effort they had to put into finding it. They also gain a deeper understanding of the maths concepts involved because they’ve had to think about them more deeply.
5. Struggle teaches the value of hard work
When children overcome difficulties in maths, they experience the satisfaction that comes from hard work. This helps them understand the value of effort and perseverance, which are important qualities for success in any area of life.
So next time your child is struggling with a maths problem, resist the urge to step in immediately. Instead, encourage them to stick with it, offer guidance when needed, and remind them that it’s okay to struggle. Remember, the struggle isn’t a sign that they’re not good at maths – it’s a stepping stone on the path to maths success.
