Re: How to save an 8-year-old for lifelong mathphobia?

In <eueno9$ru1$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, on 03/28/2007
at 09:46 PM, kj <socyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:

Unfortunately, I live a couple of timezones away from my nephew, and
I see him only once or twice a year, which greatly limits what I can
do about all this. His mother (my sister) would like him not to be
mathphobic (as she is) but at this point she is happy if he gets
passable grades. His father is a great guy but, unfortunately, not
only is he mathphobic and totally uninterested in anything that is
remotely academic, he has no problem with the prospect of raising an
equally mathphobic son.

Would the father just not help, or would he actually interfere? In the
latter case there's not much that you could do.

The Montessori people have a good deal of experience with manipulables
that are designed to maintain the children's interest while teaching
them various concepts. I'd suggest talking to them for starters.

I agree with the suggestion of WFF'n'Proof as a gift for the child.

Check out the older local children, through HS, with an interest in
Mathematics; if you can find a suitable[1] child that relates well[2]
with younger children and is interested in earning some extra money,
he might be an ideal tutor. Maybe he could even help your sister
overcome her Math phobia.

[1] I'd say at least five years older than your nephew.

[2] Don't assume that only males, only females or only children of
a specific background relate well with younger children.

--
Shmuel (Seymour J.) Metz, SysProg and JOAT <http://patriot.net/~shmuel>

Unsolicited bulk E-mail subject to legal action. I reserve the
right to publicly post or ridicule any abusive E-mail. Reply to
domain Patriot dot net user shmuel+news to contact me. Do not
reply to spamtrap@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Snow Storm
    ... I've wondered if it's a sign of parents finally seeing their ... and my father said it brought ... said his mother met him halfway between the highway and the house -- ... It was harder for my sister. ...
    (soc.motss)
  • Seeking Family GRAUSS in Irkutsk, Siberia
    ... Her Father was Moshe Grauss and her Mother was Rosa ... My Father Motel Shymlock was born in Malava Poland and sent as Polish war prisoner to Siberia. ... My Mother and Father were married in Irkutsk May 19, ... In the early 1920's My Father took My Mother and Sister to reunite with his family from Poland who had immigrated to Nashville Tennessee. ...
    (soc.genealogy.jewish)
  • Good Article On Why Wives Deserve 50%
    ... Picture Diane (your future mother), a young woman still in school ... With both parents studying and three mouths to feed, ... your father becomes a top surgeon and the family now ... you and your three-year-old sister (that's right, ...
    (soc.men)
  • Re: Good Article On Why Wives Deserve 50%
    ... Picture Diane (your future mother), a young woman still in school ... With both parents studying and three mouths to feed, ... your father becomes a top surgeon and the family now ... you and your three-year-old sister (that's right, ...
    (soc.men)
  • Re: "Real brothers" - was: Re: Boyfie and my older brother
    ... I always wished I had a sister. ... brothers and a half sister from my father - who seemed go around England, ... The brothers were great and we keep in touch, ... be really sure about the mother after all... ...
    (rec.pets.cats.anecdotes)