articles

send to a friend

Help Her Embrace Her Math Smarts

 

Dear Dr. Dellasega,

My 12-year-old daughter Tia is very good at math — so good she’s gotten labeled as a "math geek," much to her distress. To make matters worse, her teacher assigned her to tutor the slower kids in class, one of whom happens to be a boy Tia has a crush on! What do you suggest?

– Gretchen

Dear Gretchen,

Oh dear. This is exactly the opposite of what we like to see happen, since interest in and ability to do math is a real issue for girls the age of Tia. Some interesting work suggests that girls who are in same-gender classes actually do better in math and science than girls who are in coed classes, which may be partially due to teacher attitudes.

First, let me salute you for being protective of Tia’s math ability. Continuing to build her up in this area is important, as well as helping her develop the skills to express her feelings constructively.

Start educating your daughter on smart shopping and have fun with math by going on a Speed Shopping trip together. The next time you go to the grocery store, take her along and give her a set amount of money to spend. Next, tell her what you need to buy, and then see if she can pick out a brand of the items that will add up to exactly the amount you chose as quickly as possible. You can make it even more challenging by adding discount coupons.

You don’t indicate whether she has talked to her teacher about the situation, but perhaps she can ask him to use her abilities in other ways — for example, in math club. Or, Tia might help organize a math career day so other students can learn that accountants and engineers aren’t the only ones who need strong skills in this area. Physicians, nurses, attorneys, architects and many other professionals also need a solid foundation in math.

If neither of these options appeals to her, maybe she can inspire others by starting an all-girl math club where she can pursue what she loves in a fun way. For example, she and the other members might create and exchange math puzzles, conduct a fund-raising math-a-thon or build a website with math challenges.

If Tia isn’t confident enough to intervene on her own behalf, or if you think the problem is becoming severe, go see the math teacher and share your concerns. (A personal visit, if you can make it, seems to be more effective.) Offer some of the above suggestions on behalf of your daughter and other girls who are interested in math. If the teacher won’t act on them, approach the PTO about a special event, and lobby for other efforts.

Most of all, stress to Tia that although she is a mathematical whiz, there are other important parts about her, like who she is as a person. Show appreciation for other interests she may already have, or want to explore, and keep her secure in the knowledge that you are there to help her in whatever she chooses to do.

Privacy Policy   Legal Terms & Conditions   Send to a Friend   Barbie.com   Consumer Relations
© 2008 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Barbie