Student Wellbeing

We Love Maths

Having a positive Maths mindset is critical to the development of maths success.  Parents, carers, teachers, family members and peers all play a role in how we view ourselves as mathematicians.  For many students’ maths can be daunting but with guidance and encouragement, students can develop positive Maths mindsets.  The “I Hate Maths” picture story book tackles a family’s Maths mindset and attempts to flip the thinking that maths is not an isolated and abstract thing that is learned at school, but rather an essential skill with real life applications.   In fact, maths is everywhere, in everyday situations! Supporting your child to connect with everyday maths is one way you can assist them to develop a positive mathematical mindset.

Many parents tell their child that they were no good at maths, that they had a literacy brain or that they didn’t even like maths!   These statements send a message that maths is hard, boring and not for everyone, but we don’t agree with that thinking .  As parents, you have a unique ability to positively influence your child's attitude towards learning and we encourage you to assist your child to make connections with real life situations and support them to develop a positive mindset towards mathematics.

Our Principal Maths challenges are connected to the "I Hate Maths" book and purposely have a link to everyday life activities that use maths skills that we often take for granted. We encourage you to support your child to complete the Challenge tasks and to seek positive interactions and experiences that will help them understand the beauty of maths, and the application to maths all around us.

On a separate note, we are excited to let you know that we are in the final stages of editing our  “I Hate Maths”  picture story book and we hope to have it to the publisher soon.  Stay tuned for an update on where you will be able to purchase your own copy of “I Hate Maths".

We love Maths and hope you do too!

Janine Hough - janine.hough@education.vic.gov.au

Brad Ryan - bradley.ryan@education.vic.gov.au

Janine and Brad.