Introduction
Many children and even adults find math challenging. For some kids, math for third graders and below can get so complicated that they give up learning. And when they become adults, that shaky math foundation gained at a young age will fuel their disinterest in math and likely rub off on their kids, continuing the cycle.
Math is more than numbers and addition; it transcends the realm of PEMDAS and “find x” questions. But why do schools keep math in the curriculum for elementary kids if the latter don’t like it? Continue reading this article to see seven reasons why you can’t skip math at elementary school.
1. The subject is a much-needed foundation for elementary school kids
Math is essential in today’s environment. Unfortunately, most people do not know how many math concepts they use daily.
Without numbers, kids would be lost in the shuffle of modern life, being unable to read clocks or measure anything. Little wonder Brighterly.com, an online math learning platform for elementary students, strives to ensure that kids develop an interest in math from their younger years.
According to Northern Illinois University, math is one of those topics that individuals will require for the rest of their life, whether they like it or not. So, tutors, parents, and teachers try to ensure that kids get that knowledge before moving to high school.
A tutor can provide personalized guidance and support, tailoring their teaching approach to the individual needs of students, thereby enhancing comprehension, boosting confidence, and facilitating a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.
2. Math hones problem-solving skills
Math teaches students how to solve problems in a logical, orderly manner. When kids are grounded in math, they can assess a situation, arrive at the next logical step, and find out how to handle issues. Good math knowledge can point them in the right direction.
Without math knowledge, it is almost challenging to lead an independent lifestyle. Students learn about money in the early elementary years, while percentages, decimals, and fractions are introduced in later grades. A person’s ability to follow a cooking recipe, do grocery shopping, manage a budget, and decorate a room, among other things, requires math knowledge.
3. It supports career development
Even entry-level positions in non-mathematical jobs require some knowledge of arithmetic. Recording and counting money are the requirements for accountants and cashiers, whereas conversing with customers about billing and investment issues is a skill for customer support agents and financial analysts.
Many well-paying jobs in research, medicine, carpentry, and finance are now open to people with strong math skills who pursue a higher degree. A bachelor’s degree requires students to have advanced math abilities, even if they do not plan on working in these fields. Scholarships can be awarded to students who outperform their classmates on standardized math examinations like the SAT, AP, PERT, etc.
4. Math allows kids gain analytical abilities
While learning math, you develop analytical skills and a critical mindset. Developing a practice of analytic thinking means checking your findings and conclusions of others to ensure they are based on facts and sound reasoning. Critical thinking is required to describe solutions to a problem. By breaking down a complex issue into manageable parts, you become adept at paying attention to the underlying assumptions.
5. Math builds teamwork
By learning math in elementary school, children will develop the ability to identify when they need help and approach a suitable adult for that assistance. Employers, graduates, and professional schools alike place a high priority on math abilities.
Even if an individual does not have a particular mathematical career or profession, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics shows a future employer or admissions officer that you can work successfully in a team. One prevalent misunderstanding is that a degree in math is of little benefit unless you want to teach math.
6. The subject builds resilience
Children who succeed in solving mathematical problems develop resiliency and are less likely to give up when faced with a complex problem. Kids may successfully predict the answer to a mathematical problem, but only if exact measures are taken to get that solution.
Kids can conveniently transfer the mental discipline they learn in a math class to other areas of their lives. By doing math from a tender age, kids learn how to think logically. When students are asked to explain how they came to a solution to a problematic issue or the reasoning behind a formula or technique, they engage in logical thinking and analysis that can build resilience.
7. Math is a food for brain
Memory centers in children’s brains perform better when kids have a favorable attitude toward math. Math is a great way to strengthen the brain since studying the subject requires much mental work. Children need to participate in mental workouts to enhance and develop their brains.
As with most activities that are done repeatedly, a child’s ability to solve math problems will improve as they continue to practice. The ability to mentally execute simple math improves with practice.
Conclusion
Learning math as early as in kindergarten and elementary school can do more to strengthen the foundation of a child. As you can see from the article, math is not just used in the classroom but everywhere around. No matter your child’s career choice, they will still need math to carry out daily transactions like buying properties or performing measurements.
The above-listed points confirm that math is more than just a subject; it is part of our very existence, so you cannot skip it from elementary school programs.
