The human relationships of a kid who loves math
The people who get a say in how a kid views math
The many relationships of a kid who loves math
Friendship group
The relationship between the kid and their friends who like math
The relationship between the kid and their friends who do not like math
The relationship between the kid and their teacher(s) who make math fun
The relationship between the kid and their teacher(s) who make math not-fun
Adults in the kid’s life
The relationship between the kid and their adult(s) who like math
The relationship between the kid and their adult(s) who do not like math
The relationship between the kid and their adult(s) who make math fun
The relationship between the kid and their adult(s) who make math not-fun
Classmates in the kid’s school
The relationship between the kid and their classmates who like math
The relationship between the kid and their classmates who do not like math
The relationship between the kid and their classmates who make math fun
The relationship between the kid and their classmates who make math not-fun
Extended family
The relationship between the kid and their relatives who like math
The relationship between the kid and their relatives who do not like math
The relationship between the kid and their relatives who make math fun
The relationship between the kid and their relatives who make math not-fun
Parasocial Relationship with people/entities in the Media
The relationship between the kid and the media entities who like math
The relationship between the kid and the media entities who do not like math
The relationship between the kid and the media entities who make math fun
The relationship between the kid and the media entities who make math not-fun
Remembered history (past versions) of the Kid’s life
The relationship between the kid and past experiences when they liked math
The relationship between the kid and past experiences when they didn’t like math
The relationship between the kid and past experiences when math was fun
The relationship between the kid and past experiences when math was not-fun
Future history (future versions) of the Kid’s life
The relationship between the kid and their future self where they think they will like math
The relationship between the kid and their future self where they think they will not like math
The relationship between the kid and their future self where they think they will find math fun
The relationship between the kid and their future self where they think they will find math not-fun
These relationships matter
In Durden, T., Escalante, E., & Blitch, K. (2014, September). “Culture Matters—Strategies to Support Young Children’s Social and Cultural Development”. NebGuide G2241. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the authors start with “Culture refers to how particular groups of people live. In the broadest sense, culture is the ‘items,’ ‘customs,’ and ‘values’ we use to express ourselves and engage in the world around us.”
In looking to help the child further develop their interest in mathematics it can be overwhelming to realize just how many people the kid will come into contact with that may have experienced negative emotions during math-related activities.
Find math people
Which means it’s up to us to figure out how to find math people not so much to do math, but to surround the kid with people who also like and love math.
Next time we’ll talk how to go about finding those people.
Until next time!
Sebastian.