Helping children in math homework can be harmful
It is understandable that parents worry about the way their children solve the problem.math problems, even when the little ones are young. Therefore, it is also understandable that try to help them. However, it is necessary for parents to reflect on how they help their children, because this can be harmful.
According to a new study published in the journal Psychological Science, cThe more nervous parents are as they try to help their children with math homework, the more they are hurt.
"When parents have a poor relationship with mathematics and they often help their children with homework, children learn less mathematics, "the researchers say in the study, which has been directed by researcher Erin Maloney of the University of Chicago (United States).
Parents and mathematics
In this sense, the researchers assure that "even when the parents are competent in the type of maths basic first and second year of primary school ", this knowledge does not prevent them from having" feelings of anxiety when faced with the math homework of their children. "A trend, which in fact is true even in highly qualified parents.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed more than 800 students from Illinois (United States) at the beginning and end of their school year, measuring their levels of anxiety and mathematics. In addition, parents were also surveyed about their own anxiety about mathematics, how often they had helped their children with their homework and their educational level.
Anxiety for mathematics
Another conclusion of the study is that it not only affects parents' anxiety about mathematics, but that it is a combination of such nervousness and the attempt to help their children in their homework: The effect of parental anxiety on children is not statistically significant if parents have not engaged in math homework.
To explain this, the researchers mention different possible reasons. As explained in the text, parents with a strong anxiety about mathematics are proposed to "show general negativity on the subject", a feeling that is transmitted to children and makes their children be discouraged about mathematics.
Another possible reason for this happening is linked to the fear to fail that parents have and that they transmit to their children, criticizing harshly when the children have difficulties to solve the mathematical exercises. Also, the researchers mention that it is also possible that parents have learned "inflexible forms" to solve mathematical problems which are different from those taught in current schools.
An interesting point of this research is that the problem seems to be specific in mathematics: The researchers analyzed the reading levels and this relationship with anxiety has not occurred.
With these conclusions in hand, the authors of the study argue that parents do not have to stop helping to their children in mathematics, but they should do so more support for children and advising them on the way to do it well, trying not to transmit that insecurity or anxiety that is sometimes generated.
Angela R. Bonachera
