How Does Math Help Develop an Analytical Mindset in a Child?
According to Dr Arthur Benjamin, math is like nourishment for the brain. It enriches us and helps us see the world from different interesting perspectives. Over the last few generations, math has garnered quite a negative reputation. For some students, it’s too boring, while others consider it a complicated subject.
However, beyond its seeming complexity, math remains a core subject that’s integral to our very existence as human beings. So, it’s necessary that you build your child’s math skills, whether it’s through or traditional school classes.
But here’s the big question: how does math help develop analytical skills in kids? What’s the link between mathematics and these skills sets?
Let’s get into it.
What Does an Analytical Mindset Entail?
In some cases, children blitz through their textbooks or math courses without ever stopping to question the facts. They simply follow the formula, arrive at an answer, and shut their textbooks.
While this approach can get them the results they need, there will be times when they encounter a math problem that’s different from the rest – a problem that defies all obvious answers. Will they get stuck or push ahead?
This is where an analytical mindset comes in. With this type of mindset, kids are more likely to study data and look closely for any patterns or loopholes. They’ll be able to think independently and solve problems systematically.
Instead of simply focusing on the answer, a child with this mindset will be able to determine different pathways or solutions and then carefully evaluate the most efficient, result-driven one to follow.
It’s important to note that an analytical mindset goes beyond math. It can also be applied to other areas of life, from making simple decisions to career situations.
How Does Math Improve Analytical Skills?
Over the last decade, math has been recognized as one of the core drivers for improving analytical skills, and here’s how it works:
Math strengthens the brain
According to a study conducted by Dr. Tanya Stevens, kids who know math are able to utilize certain brain regions and have greater gray matter volume in those regions than their peers who struggle with math.
But what does this statement look like in action? Well, it’s simple. Our brains develop different essential neural pathways that help us process and filter information. Math helps to strengthen said pathways, thus improving your critical/logical thinking skills.
When kids are good at math, they tend to practice it more frequently and over time, this approach will have positive effects on their neural pathways. This explains why some cognitive tasks involving elements like decision-making have been linked to higher math skills in kids.
It’s a mental workout
Picture this scenario: every day, you go for a run or hit the gym. This daily exercise goes beyond a simple routine. It involves straining your muscles and body to increase their capacity and achieve maximum fitness. As time goes on, you’ll be able to lift heavier weights, run for longer distances, etc.
Math is pretty much the same. It serves as an exercise for your brain and can not only strengthen the brain, but also improve its capacity. As kids solve math problems, they’re putting their brain to the test and pushing it beyond its limits. The more math problems they solve, the better they’ll become at analyzing and solving tough problems.
It involves searching for and analyzing patterns
Math is a purely numerical subject with a unique twist to it. When it comes to mathematics for kids and even adults, you’re not just racing to the end of the line to find the answer to the problem.
Rather, you’re supposed to work systematically and uncover each layer of the problem. It involves searching for hidden patterns and analyzing them to arrive at a logical solution. Think of it as a cryptic message or puzzle, if you will.
With constant practice, kids will be able to apply this core math feature to other areas of their lives. They’ll be able to approach each problem carefully and logically, rather than tackle it head-on with no clear plan or strategy.
Math increases brain efficiency
Here’s the thing: whether you’ve signed your child up for MIT math courses or just regular classes, one thing remains constant: the way math works. As we’ve mentioned earlier, math involves critical thinking and a concrete analysis of patterns. These core elements can – and will – improve overall brain efficiency as time goes on.
A group of neuroscientists carried out an interesting study on this topic. A few students were asked to undertake a math test and it was discovered that certain parts of their brain lit up as they took the test. After two months, a subsequent brain scan of students with math difficulties showed significant improvements.
As your kid’s brain efficiency improves, they’ll be able to think more analytically within and outside the classroom.
How to Boost Your Child’s Math Skills
If you’re looking to improve your kid’s analytical skills, English courses online certainly won’t cut it. You’ll need to focus on improving their math skills by signing them up for the best math courses or taking on the mantle yourself. Here are a few tips to guide you:
Integrate math games into lessons
Over the past few years, game-based learning has become increasingly popular thanks to the role it plays in improving student’s knowledge acquisition and retention. Thus, if you’re trying to boost your child’s math skills without bogging them down, it’s advisable to try your hand at game-based learning.
Enlist external help
Sometimes, it’s just not possible to transform your kid into a math whiz on your own. If you’re struggling to help your child with math, you might want to seek help by hiring a math tutor. Alternatively, you can select one of the best online courses available and see what happens next.
If you’re working on a budget, there are also tons of free math courses that can get the job done.
Final Thoughts
Math goes beyond being a subject that we all have to study in school. It’s a core part of our lives that can help kids build their critical thinking and analytical skills. The skills they acquire through math are evergreen, extending beyond the classroom walls and even into their personal lives.
