I have a 5 year old, and I was talking to some acquaintances who also have a kindergartener. The kids are learning math, by playing with manipulatives. It's great; they're learning mathematical concepts, and they have no idea anyone in the world doesn't like "math". They don't know what "math" is, they are just starting to discover that the world is made up of interesting but identifiable shapes, and that numbers have some really interesting patterns as well.
These parents, however, don't see anything they recognize as "math". They're afraid their kid is going to fall behind, so they're giving their kid worksheets at home focusing on two-digit addition and subtraction. Their kid doesn't like math already, because at home math is just writing things on a piece of paper with little meaning. This is sad to me, because there are so many interesting things you can do with your kids at home to help them develop their mathematical understanding.
Our educational issues with math start young, and they come from adults. I'm fortunate to work in a small high school where I get to treat each kid individually. It's wonderful to meet kids where they're at, and help them move forward and start to enjoy math again.
I've often thought about inventing math toys, e.g., group theory for toddler: S_3 = triangle toy, S_4 square toy, etc. I'm sure there are many advanced math topics that could be turned into toys. No symbols, no equations, just toys, but subtly you're getting kids familiar with important math structures.
These parents, however, don't see anything they recognize as "math". They're afraid their kid is going to fall behind, so they're giving their kid worksheets at home focusing on two-digit addition and subtraction. Their kid doesn't like math already, because at home math is just writing things on a piece of paper with little meaning. This is sad to me, because there are so many interesting things you can do with your kids at home to help them develop their mathematical understanding.
Our educational issues with math start young, and they come from adults. I'm fortunate to work in a small high school where I get to treat each kid individually. It's wonderful to meet kids where they're at, and help them move forward and start to enjoy math again.