13:56 again and in response to 13:50...they both may be skills, but I have no interest in relearning math or learning music. It's obvious to kids what their parents are good at, so why try to deny it. I, too, had a terrible time with standardized tests despite studying immensely for them. I don't think you should negate one's true talents. It might suck that you're good at math, but hate it, but that's a fact. You may want to be an artist, and that too is a skill, but I don't think that will get you far in and of itself.

Anonymous wrote:The good news is that there are so many online programs (e.g. Khan Academy, Brainpop, etc.) and apps that can do most of the explaining. There are tutoring centers and some good explanations in workbooks.

Here's a big don't (courtesy of my mother!)-- don't imply that you are not "good" at math. Double-don't imply that your child is not "good" at math.

A big "do"- emphasize that math competency and mastery takes patience and hard work. For everyone. Even the math majors I saw in college and grad school did not breeze through higher order math without a lot of hard work.

Agree with this. Though it's quite obvious to our 5th grader that he is better at math than either of us. You kinda need to say something. In the same vein we smile at our youngest when he reads and plays music. I think it's good for them to know everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Though we emphasize work. Thank goodness for the internet and all of these wonderful programs on the computer to help them progress at their own rate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You relearn it with them. It's not difficult.

Oh yes it is, too. I'm very good at some things but have zero aptitude for Math. None. I couldn't even read the questions on my SAT all those years ago. Went to Art School. Some of us just do not have the aptitude, and never will.

Whatever you do, do not ever say something like that in front of your kids (or anywhere in ear shot of any child, please!) It's both factually incorrect and terribly terribly demotivating. It's a skill. One you can learn. Some people may learn it more quickly than others, some may ultimately enjoy it more or reach higher heights, but there is no magic math button.

I do not have any special aptitude for music. Yet through 12 years of piano lessons, I learned to play the piano reasonably well. I'm a crappy artist now and probably always will be. But I'm sure you agree that if I invested time and effort into art, I could be a much better artist. Maybe I'd never get into art school, and certainly I'd never become a famous artist, but I would at least be competent enough to work with a child.

Math is no different.