Show Notes
Maths conversations at home can turn into battlegrounds without either parent or child quite knowing how it happened. In this episode, I look at what's really going on underneath those difficult conversations and why the goal isn't getting one conversation right, but understanding what every conversation is building over time.
I cover: Why maths conversations break down so predictably, and the roles parents and children fall into without ever discussing them Why some parents' own maths history (good or bad) shapes how these conversations go How maths anxiety affects a child's ability to talk about maths, not just do it Four practical shifts parents can make to change the tone of these conversations, without needing a script Why telling your child you're trying something new matters as much as the change itself
Free companion guide: This episode's free PDF guide walks you through the four shifts from the episode, with prompts to try at home this week. Download it at aedds.co.uk/podcast.
References mentioned in this episode: Ashcraft, M. H., & Krause, J. A. (2007). Working memory, math performance, and math anxiety. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 14(2), 243–248. Doz, E., Cuder, A., Pellizzoni, S., Granello, F., & Passolunghi, M. C. (2024). The interplay between ego-resiliency, math anxiety and working memory in math achievement. Psychological Research, 88(8), 2401–2415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-024-01995-0
Next time: In our final episode of Season 1, we look at what a diagnosis of dyscalculia actually means for your child's future and why that question often causes more worry than it needs to.
About the podcast: Safety in Numbers is hosted by Dr Alice Earnshaw, a maths education consultant and Specific Learning Difficulties assessor. Each episode addresses a question parents commonly face when their child struggles with maths whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. Find more episodes and resources at aedds.co.uk/podcast.
Website: aedds.co.uk Facebook group: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551091072526
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