Mathematics

Parent Beliefs about Maths change their children's achievement

Over the last decade, there has been substantial research and discussion on the impact of parents' beliefs on their child's mathematical achievement. The messages we give our children can dramatically change their performance and perception. Researchers have explored that students' ideas about their ability and potential are extremely important. 

A study by Eccles and Jacobs (1986) found that when mothers told their daughters they were not good at maths in school, their daughter's achievement declined almost immediately. While a separate study showed that parents' 'maths anxiety' reduced their child's mathematical learning across the junior years of school. 

It is important that parents and teachers portray a positive message of Maths to students at all times. We need to focus on a shift from 'I wasn't good at Maths in school' to 'You can do this, I believe in you. Maths is an open, beautiful subject that requires effort and hardwork.' 

*Adapted from Jo Boaler at YouCubed. 

6 Ways you can help your child with Maths

1. Encourage children to play Maths puzzles and games
2. Always be encouraging and never tell children they are wrong when working on a Maths problem. Instead find logic in their thinking. e.g. If you child multiplies 3 by 4 to 4 and says 7, say - Oh I see what you are thinking, you are using addition to add 3 and 4, when we multiply 4 groups of 3 we get 12. 
3. Don't associate Maths with speed. It's not always important to work quickly but rather gain a deep understanding of the why and the how of Maths.
4. Never share with your child the idea that you were 'bad' at Maths at school or that you disliked it. 
5. Encourage number sense. Children who can flexibly work with numbers often achieve greater success in Maths.  For example, when working out 29 + 56, you can take one from 56 to make 30 + 55. 
6. Encourage a 'Growth Mindset' in Maths. Supported your child in believing their Maths has unlimited potential and that challenging ourselves, really helps us achieve more.  

NAPLAN - Year 3 and 5

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment of students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students sit this in May each year and in 2022, St. Raphael's NAPLAN assessment will move to the online platform. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and is just one aspect of our school's assessment and reporting process. 

Please find further information regarding NAPLAN here.