"The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from the earliest childhood through high-school."

— Anne Henderson and Nancy Berla, editors, A New Generation of Evidence: The Family is Critical to Student Achievement

We all want to be involved in our children's education. Most of us read to—and with—our children. We help them learn the alphabet and their numbers. But many parents don't know how to go beyond these activities, especially in mathematics. When their children have trouble with math problems, they commiserate: "I know how you feel. I didn't understand it either when I was in school." Or they think to themselves: "He doesn't like math because I don't like math."

FAMILY MATH, a program which was developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley in the early 1980s, is designed not only to help kids become more comfortable with mathematics, but to help parents overcome their own math-phobias and learn how to help their children.

The Making of a Math-phobic

"I am 51 years old, and now I am in this wonderful program, and learning things that I did not know before. How could I have helped my child without first knowing?"

How do you remember your mathematics experiences? Were they wonderful and full of success? Or did you feel like only the "smart" and "brainy" kids understood algebra or geometry? If it was the latter, you have plenty of company. For many, mathematics was something to be slogged through, something to be survived. And as soon as math was no longer a required course, usually sometime in high school, they dropped out.

What about your family? Did you get help at home with math homework? Sometimes parents— especially those who grew up in another country - were taught how to solve math problems differently than the way their kids are taught today in American schools. My father grew up in Mexico and this was a big problem for us. He would try to help me, but I would protest that he was doing the math wrong. We would both be so frustrated. The homework, of course, remained undone.

I had a sense that I was a failure in math - even when I was all grown up and teaching second grade. It wasn't until I attended a FAMILY MATH seminar that I realized that I could learn mathematics and that it could even be fun.

Today, as the director of the FAMILY MATH program, I hear stories similar to my own every day from educators, parents, and students, across all levels of the educational spectrum. Math-phobia takes on all sorts of forms, from feelings of shame for not being able to solve problems quickly enough or memorize all the multiplication tables, to physical illness at being asked work at the chalkboard in front of the whole class.

It doesn't have to be this way. Math-phobia can be overcome, especially when families work together.

Families Working Together = Math Success

"Now I feel I have the tools to help my child do better in school than I did."

"I never realized how smart my child is. She tried every possibility until she found one that worked. She didn't give up!"

FAMILY MATH is about families starting new traditions and working together to gain awareness, confidence, competence - and success — in mathematics.

Since parents' attitudes have a profound affect on their children, FAMILY MATH is about helping parents develop their own curiosity for how information can be presented mathematically. Many parents equate mathematics with arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). But, of course, there is much more to it and they soon learn that have been doing math successfully all the time. Once they make that realization, their math-phobia begins to disappear.

The FAMILY MATH program was created by teachers who saw a need to help parents to understand what their children were doing in math class. It began informally: Parents, teachers and kids getting together to discuss mathematical ideas, and to work on activities to improve skills in everything from spatial reasoning and geometry, to algebraic thinking, statistics, measurement, and arithmetic.

It's simple; Kids do better when their parents take an interest. Research shows a strong correlation not only between parental involvement and achievement test scores, but also in kids' reasoning abilities, and other school-related knowledge. This is true regardless of the age of the child, the mother's level of education, or family income.

Parents who had never been involved in their children's schools prior to attending a FAMILY MATH program often become involved in other non math-related school activities. They have seen how their presence can make a deep and lasting difference in their child's educational experience.

Setting Up a Family Math Program

"FAMILY MATH is a simple program with profound implications."

— Dr. Eugene Cota-Robles to the National Science Foundation

So, how does FAMILY MATH work? There is actually no one way. Over the last 20 years, more than five million families throughout the world have participated in FAMILY MATH programs. There are scores of sites in the U.S. and overseas, staffed by educators who can advise schools on how to set up an effective course.

Our "Family Math" books include information on the logistics of setting up a FAMILY MATH program (i.e., best times of the day/week, location suggestions, class sizes, number of classes, costs, etc.), as well as activities appropriate for different age groups.

To find out more about FAMILY MATH and upcoming teacher seminars, visit our website at www.lawrencehallofscience.org/equals, or call 510.642.1823 or 510.643.6525.

For information on FAMILY MATH books call 800.897.5036 or 510.642.1910.

The following activities are examples of multi level problems from the books, "Family Math" and "Family Math II." Both younger and older children can play, but the mathematical experience is different for the varied ages. A successful FAMILY MATH activity addresses different levels of understanding and is enjoyable for both adults and kids. The mathematics should be rigorous but fun.

Tax Collector is reprinted from the book "FAMILY MATH,"
(ISBN #0 -912511-06-0), published by EQUALS, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA 94720. © 1986 Regents, University of California at Berkeley

No Twin NIM is reprinted from the book "FAMILY MATH II"
(ISBN # 0-912511-30-3), published by EQUALS, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA 94720. © 2003 Regents, University of California at Berkeley

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Family Math

"The ideas in FAMILY MATH seemed simple at first, but we found that they were connected to bigger and deeper concepts."

"I came to learn how to help my child in class, and I realize there is so much more to it than just that."

Q: How can I be a role model in mathematics if I don't feel confident with math myself?

You don't have to be an expert in mathematics to be a role model. What is important is exhibiting resourcefulness. Say to your child: "I don't readily know the answer, but I will help you solve it." Or "Let me ask so-and-so, who understands this idea, and then we will both be able to solve the problem." Your persistence in finding a resource or solution teaches your child an important lifelong skill. Do it with enthusiasm and joy and it becomes a gift for the spirit. That's math - plus!

Q: I don't have time to be involved in the classroom, I have to work during the day.

There are many ways to be involved. FAMILY MATH sessions typically are schedule either after school or on Saturday mornings, and they rarely last more than an hour and a half. Also, a teacher might suggest things you can do at home that would be helpful to the class. The message we want to give our children is: We are partners with the teacher in their education.

Q: I don't understand why my kid's math homework has so many words. When I was a kid we just solved number problems.

Mathematics is more than arithmetic (numbers and solutions). It includes spatial reasoning, logic, algebraic thinking, geometry, and analyzing multiple ways of solving a problem. Students today are often asked to explain their reasoning.

Q: Why is mathematics so important?

In school, a child's placement level in mathematics can make the difference in whether he or she later attends a community / junior college, or a four-year college / university. Careers in medicine, the sciences, accounting and engineering require a strong background in mathematics. But even careers which at first glance seem non math-based, such as working in a restaurant or a department store, often require the ability to do some math calculations. The more mathematics one studies in school, the higher their potential income. The bottom line is that a solid understanding of mathematics opens doors and creates more choices in higher education, career, and life.

Q: What types of activities should I be doing with my child?

Any and everything. Anything can be turned into a math game: "How many forks do we need to set the table? What if we have company?" "Let's create a time line of our vacation." "How many cars do you estimate are the parking lot?"