Image by brocknessmonsta via Flickr

There is a time in my daughter’s life that I am absolutely dreading.  It’s a part of life that is both unavoidable and frightening to me.  While, like many others I pride myself on what I know and my abilities there is one thing I simply cannot grasp.  That one thing that is so elusively out of my reach?  Math.  What I used to know is rusty, and the things I’ve somehow managed to retain are painfully ‘so yesterday’ (as a cousin of mine tells me).

Scientific theory, metaphysical conundrums, and in depth coding I know.  Yet put a page full of algebra in front of me?  I go blank.

While one could be thankful that they aren’t alone, a study by the Intel Corporation shows that most parents would rather talk to their kids about sex and drugs than science.  While this is surprising, as soon as I can manage a smile, I start thinking about my daughter’s future mathematics homework.

Nearly a quarter of parents (23 percent) who admit to being less involved in their child’s math and science education than they would like say their own lack of knowledge in these subjects is a key barrier.

(From the study linked above)

This study is a surprising one, and not only for those parents lacking in mathematical skills.  It shows that parents are hesitant to help when they are out of their own comfort zone.  Perhaps instead of the panic, we should be learning the same things?  Considering that a parent’s interest in their child’s learning does help the child out in the long run.

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