Parents: Help Your Children Avoid Math Anxiety this School Year

Research shows that children of highly math-anxious parents are more likely to develop math anxiety themselves when their parents help with homework. Kumon, the world's largest after-school math and reading program, has helped millions of children develop their math ability, which often leads to a boost in confidence. Whether they need extra help  or are looking for an academic advantage, the Kumon Program is individualized for each student. Parents can save 50 percent off registration for the Kumon Math Program at participating learning centers from September 1 – 30.

Kumon helps build a strong foundation in math and reading, while developing a love for learning. It sparks critical thinking, establishes a pattern of success, and builds confidence that can lead to accelerated learning throughout life. By instilling the skills and mindset for self-learning, Kumon Students not only reach grade level, but often surpass it.

Kumon North America's education expert, Dominique Ciccarelli, gives parents advice on how to reduce math anxiety this school year.

• Give positive reinforcement. Math anxiety is contagious. Create a math-positive environment at home, especially while helping children with homework. Negative associations like 'I'm not a math person' can transfer from one person to another.
• Develop math skills early. Showing your children how math is relevant in their everyday lives helps them to engage and think critically. Develop number sense by counting food items at snack time, practice simple addition and subtraction using small toys, and develop math language by helping them recognize the connection between a numeral, the word and the amount.
• Communicate with the teacher. How math is taught in school today is likely different from how parents were taught. Children who are struggling with math often have difficulty conveying their confusion to their parents. School teachers are the best resource for parents to understand how their child is supposed to comprehend the concepts.
• Make math fun. Playing games that are math and numbers oriented, like Monopoly, Yahtzee or cards, is an excellent way to make math fun and get children interested. Incorporate math into their natural interests, such as with cooking or through sports.  

From counting to calculus and beyond, the Kumon Math Program helps children become happier, more confident students by developing valuable skills such as mental calculation, improved concentration and critical thinking. Learn how Kumon can help reduce your child's math stress.  

About Kumon Math & Reading Centers:
Kumon is an after-school math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has over four million students enrolled in nearly 25,000 learning centers in 50 countries and regions.

SOURCE Kumon North America, Inc.