Kids Who Love Math

Kids Who Love Math is a newsletter dedicated to aiding parents and guardians in supporting their children's enthusiasm for mathematics. It emphasizes innovative educational methods, problem-solving skills, the importance of understanding and mastery over rote learning, and the value of building a supportive community for math enthusiasts.

Childhood Education Mathematics Enrichment Parenting Strategies Mathematics Curriculum Educational Psychology Learning Methodologies Math Competitions and Olympiads Educational Policy Community Building

The hottest Substack posts of Kids Who Love Math

And their main takeaways

Do Math, Touch Grass, Repeat

167 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🚌 Education Math education Child development
  1. It's great for kids to love math, but that shouldn't mean they have to give up everything else to become math geniuses. Parents should let kids decide their own paths.
  2. While math is important and helpful in many areas, it doesn't handle everything in life. Kids need to connect with people and the world outside of math.
  3. The pressure to make kids succeed in math, like in sports, can take the fun out of it. Instead, kids should also spend time playing outside and enjoying other activities.

It's hard to stop Math Acceleration once you start

755 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🚌 Education Math education Child development Learning Styles Educational Policy
  1. Starting math acceleration at an early age can lead to kids getting really far ahead, even several years, if they enjoy it and continue practicing.
  2. Schools may not always know how to support kids who excel in math, leading to some frustration for parents trying to find help.
  3. It's important to check in with kids regularly about their interest in math, as their willingness to learn can change over time.

We do Math because it's hard

335 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🚌 Education Math Learning Parenting Skills Development
  1. Math can be really hard to learn for everyone, at any age. It's normal for students to find math difficult as they progress in their education.
  2. Choosing challenges like math for kids can help them build perseverance. It's often easier to support their learning in a comfortable environment like home.
  3. It's important for kids to enjoy the challenge they're taking on. If they like math, they're more likely to stick with it and succeed.

Make Math Obvious

251 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🚌 Education Math education Child development Learning Strategies STEM Education
  1. Math is everywhere in daily life, and parents can help kids see that. Pointing out math moments, like counting socks or planning in games, makes it more fun.
  2. Even if something seems obvious to adults, it may not be to kids. Making the role of math clear in everyday situations helps kids appreciate it more.
  3. The goal is to help kids enjoy math by showing them how it connects to their interests and experiences. Keep it light-hearted and fun to spark their curiosity.

Mathematical Adventures Await Us

335 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🚌 Education Math education Learning Strategies Child development Teaching Methods
  1. Viewing new math topics as adventures makes learning more fun. It helps kids feel excited and curious about what they'll discover.
  2. Preparation is important before starting a math adventure. Physically, emotionally, mentally, and philosophically getting ready can help kids face challenges.
  3. Tracking progress and celebrating discoveries during and after the adventure makes learning rewarding. It encourages kids to think about what they learned and plan for future adventures.
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Mailbag: When/how did you get started?

167 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
  1. Placing a strong focus on educating children and valuing learning from an early age is important for their development.
  2. Encouraging exploration and discovery in children's interests, and supporting them even if their interests change, is crucial in helping them grow.
  3. Focusing on personal growth, happiness, and fulfillment as goals for children rather than solely on academic success can lead to a more well-rounded and content life.

Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Chapter 1 Notes

167 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
  1. Perfectionism in children can lead to self-worth dependency on flawless performance, impacting relationships.
  2. Praise children for setting sensible limits and effort, not just perfect outcomes.
  3. Help children cope with mistakes, offer solutions, promote process-focused feedback, and model healthy alternatives to perfectionism.

Announcing Mailbox Mondays

167 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Math
  1. Sebastian Gutierrez is starting Mailbox Mondays where he will answer reader questions in a post every Monday.
  2. Readers can send in questions via email, and Sebastian will share the answers anonymously in the post.
  3. Responses to the original question will also be sent via email to the reader.

Math Encounters Videos from the National Museum of Mathematics

83 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🚌 Education Math
  1. Math Encounters is a public presentation series by MoMath that celebrates the world of mathematics.
  2. The National Museum of Mathematics has a YouTube playlist with free video recordings.
  3. Kids Who Love Math is a reader-supported publication that offers resources for math enthusiasts.

Math for kids outside of the Calculus Sequence

111 HN points • 07 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Learning Teaching Resources
  1. There's a clear path from arithmetic to calculus in math education, but kids who advance too quickly may face challenges in a traditional school setting.
  2. Instead of just accelerating through the math curriculum, consider enrichment to explore topics outside the typical sequence like statistics, probability, and mathematical finance.
  3. Parents can support their kids in exploring enrichment math by learning alongside them, finding tutors or math circles, and utilizing resources like books and educational videos.

What's on your mind?

83 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Learning
  1. The author is curious about your thoughts and questions related to teaching math to kids
  2. The author shares information about their kids' math education and current activities
  3. The author is open to sharing book highlights and is interested in knowing if you'd like to read about them

Elementary Schoolers are taking Algebra I

3 HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Math Teaching Learning Parenting
  1. Elementary schoolers are taking high school level Algebra I, which is surprising because it's not common and not widely discussed.
  2. The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon explains how we notice things more once we become aware of them, like kids excelling in advanced math.
  3. The Roger Bannister Effect shows how breaking through perceived limits can inspire others to achieve new possibilities, such as young children excelling in higher-level math.

Ritualizing The Study of Math

2 HN points • 20 Feb 24
🚌 Education Math Learning Family Support
  1. Establishing a routine can help in getting prepared for learning, like dedicating a specific 'Math Time' with all necessary materials ready.
  2. Focusing on the process of getting ready for math is more important than merely sticking to a rigid routine.
  3. Incorporating physical elements or sensory cues can enhance the readiness for learning math, such as having a designated space, an exercise, a specific music, or a scent.

We are the ones we have been waiting for

1 HN point • 23 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching Student Performance Math education Education system
  1. It matters what you do at home for education - especially for math kids who may need extra support.
  2. Teachers on Reddit discuss the challenges of students being significantly behind in basic skills like reading, writing, and math.
  3. The gap between high-performing students and those falling behind seems to be widening, prompting concerns among educators about the quality of education.

The human relationships of a kid who loves math

1 HN point • 02 May 23
  1. The relationships in a kid's life influence how they view math.
  2. Finding people who love math can help a kid's interest in math grow.
  3. Surrounding a kid with math enthusiasts can positively impact their math experiences.