Do any of you guys have kids that are math wizzes

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: Liquid_Turbo
Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
and if so, what did you do above and beyond school curriculum to help them surpass the average student?

I'll back up a bit. I am having my first child due in late April and have been thinking a lot about helping him/her have the necessary tools in their toolbox to have a great job when they get older.

To do this, I am already in the process of planning how I can help the child to become highly proficient in math.

I am horrible at math and it has held me back in my life. I do not want this same path for my child.

Basically, I am wondering how early it is possible to introduce things like algebra, geometry, calculus, etc. into their life? And with my limited aptitude for those subjects myself, I am worried about how I can assist in subjects I am not very good at.

I saw a news report on Drudge today that said 90% of CUNY freshmen students in New York couldn't even solve a basic algebra problem. I wish to avoid this.

I really want my child to become an engineer like I wanted to be but never did become.


There's a section in the book "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell that you might enjoy. It talks purely about the success in math.

http://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Suc...8055&sr=8-1

Check it out!


Very interesting. I'll have to check it out.

 

[OVERKILL]

My sister is currently doing her PHD in Math. I hated the subject, but enjoyed physics immensely (go figure). Neither of my parents are particularly great in math, but my family has some notable engineering history to it.

To REALLY excel in the subject, one must ENJOY it. Repetition and constant immersion will only go so far if the student does not enjoy the subject. My sister loves it, and so the choice to constantly work at it has paid off.

I don't think a parent can force a child to excel at a particular subject. I think they can help guide, but natural ability and a passion for the subject, or the lack thereof (on both fronts) are ultimately going to determine the outcome.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
and if so, what did you do above and beyond school curriculum to help them surpass the average student?

I'll back up a bit. I am having my first child due in late April and have been thinking a lot about helping him/her have the necessary tools in their toolbox to have a great job when they get older.

To do this, I am already in the process of planning how I can help the child to become highly proficient in math.

I am horrible at math and it has held me back in my life. I do not want this same path for my child.

Basically, I am wondering how early it is possible to introduce things like algebra, geometry, calculus, etc. into their life? And with my limited aptitude for those subjects myself, I am worried about how I can assist in subjects I am not very good at.

I saw a news report on Drudge today that said 90% of CUNY freshmen students in New York couldn't even solve a basic algebra problem. I wish to avoid this.

I really want my child to become an engineer like I wanted to be but never did become.


1. relax, breathe deeply, he/she hasn't even been born yet.
2. let them have fun for their childhood.
3. teach and discuss stuff with them at home when they are little.
4. they don't need to be a math wiz to be an engineer. most of the best engineers are actually mathematically not that great but think in great ways to solve issues, and most good ones are also actually socially pretty good. so yes math is a tool but only part of a much bigger toolbox. you will often find that whizbang math kids don't make great engineers.

i want my kids to become pilots like i wanted to. but i won't pressure them to it.

i guess all i want for them is to pursue their dreams and not get talked out of it like i was!!!!

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
I double majored in mathematics and statistics. My father is a double major in mathematics and science, worked for NASA, etc. My dad did not help me 1 minute with math skills nor did my mother.



same here except i do not have your degreed credentials. i have engineering degree with extra year's math thrown in, i am two units away from getting a BSc in math but i couldn't be bothered after getting my eng. degree. i can't recall my parents (professor of organic chemistry and mom worked in nuclear science) EVER helping me, ever. they did book me into after school science classess in grade 4 but canned it after a year as it got too expensive i think.

 

[wander2039]

Interesting responses.. We have a 18 month old and both want him to do a little better than the wife and I but we don't want to force him either. It's a fine line I guess. One thing we plan on doing though is spending more time with him.. generally and in homework. My dad regrets not spending more time with us kids growing up. I don't think the wife or I was particularlly bad in school we just didn't have the proper motivation and perhaps enough to keep us occupied.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
My sister is currently doing her PHD in Math. I hated the subject, but enjoyed physics immensely (go figure). Neither of my parents are particularly great in math, but my family has some notable engineering history to it.

To REALLY excel in the subject, one must ENJOY it. Repetition and constant immersion will only go so far if the student does not enjoy the subject. My sister loves it, and so the choice to constantly work at it has paid off.

I don't think a parent can force a child to excel at a particular subject. I think they can help guide, but natural ability and a passion for the subject, or the lack thereof (on both fronts) are ultimately going to determine the outcome.



So true. If you enjoy it, you will learn it.

I found this book to be great for those that have been away from math for awhile.

http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Math-Buildin...6843&sr=8-1

The way this book teaches you is superior to most of the textbooks I've had.

 

[mechtech2]

Saturn Fan - I think you are going to have a very capable child in math, and other studies. You will be a great parent.

But a true math whiz seems to be born with a specially developed part of their brain. We can't seem to either help it or stop it.

 

[Pablo]

Daughter 1 = super math wiz. lazy as [censored]. won't "do" math. acts ditzy on purpose. etc

Daughter 2 = slow to get it, but "must" get it or will work and worry until she gets it, then moves on until next problem.

It takes all kinds, your kid(s) will probably be in between.

 

[buster]

haaa Pablo that is funny.

 

[crinkles]

just remember being smart can be a massive mental burden as smart people often over analyse their life and emotions making everything really hard on themselves.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
just remember being smart can be a massive mental burden as smart people often over analyse their life and emotions making everything really hard on themselves.



I would probably help to be gifted and somewhat aloof at the same time. I think it's somewhat exceptional to be "balanced". Most of the true achievers are crippled in some aspect of their life. I can't really see ultra penetration into the exosphere without letting something else lapse.

I'm still waiting for Mr. Bill's evil side to show. Well, I guess the other evil side. Windows was bad enough, I guess. There is no way that he didn't grow up with issues that surely have formed the man that he is today.

 

[chimonster]

One more thing.

Most of young students that hates math are the ones that aren't good at it. Or at least thinks they are not good at it. I have yet to meet anyone who is really good at math but hates it.

The point I am trying to make is that by getting better at math, students will enjoy it that much more. I do not mean that parents should force kids to practice and learn math, but help them enjoy the learning process by making it more fun and interesting. Then, in turn, as they get better at it, they will learn to like and appreciate it.

As many have mentioned above, people learn by different methods at different paces. Helping kids to learn at his own pace is critical and parents should help and encourage them do just that. Never force them.