How you can help

Your child will depend on your encouragement to succeed in this programme. There will probably be times over the five years where they feel like stepping away. Perhaps they’ll be worried they’re not good enough, or worried about how other people will think about them having maths as a hobby. Your support will help them keep going.

Once your child has completed a block, they will receive a certificate. Each certificate represents a significant stage in development, giving you both a chance to celebrate their progress.

Talk to your child about maths circles

The biggest thing you can do to help is to discuss your child’s maths circle with them. You will have a bigger impact on how their feelings about maths develop than anybody else in their life. You don’t need to be a mathematician to talk to them about maths. Below are some examples of how to talk to your child about their maths circle experience.

Encourage articulation and being adventurous

Instead of focusing on ease or getting the right answer:

☒ “Was it easy?”
☒ “I don’t understand, but you got it right, and that’s what matters.”

Focus on the joy of discovery and explaining ideas:

☑ “That sounds like such an interesting problem! Did you enjoy tackling it?”
☑ “I’ve never heard the word __ before. Can you explain what it means?”

Support them to keep trying

Instead of focusing on completion or fixed ability:

☒ “Did you finish all the problems?”
☒ “You’re so clever. I was never good at maths.”

Celebrate determination and overcoming challenges to reinforce the value of hard work:

☑ “It sounds like it was really hard work today. Was it fun working on with those difficult ideas?”
☑ “You kept going even though it wasn’t easy at first. I’m really proud of you!”

Accept others’ ideas

Instead of showing them the quickest way and glossing over deep understanding:

☒ “It’s quicker this way, let me show you.”

Focus on the importance of collaboration, an appreciation for different problem-solving strategies and how there is no ‘right approach’ to challenge:

☑ “How did you help each other when you got stuck?”
☑ “Did anyone else tackle the problem differently? What did you learn from each other?”
☑ “I’d do it differently. Isn’t it interesting that there are so many ways to tackle a problem!”