Family Maths

Family Maths: Talking Positively about Maths at Home

The MSCW community encourages its families to have positive conversations at home about the use of mathematics in the world. Whether it’s in working through homework tasks, completing jobs at home or sitting around the dinner table, discussions about mathematics are most productive when framed with positive value on its use in everyday life. To start us off, we would like to explore Family Math, an initiative by the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) in the United States of America, aimed at making mathematics a natural and enjoyable part of families’ daily lives.

What does it mean to have ‘Family Maths’?

Family Math is an initiative that promotes the discussion and inclusion of culturally relevant maths activities and conversations during everyday interactions. This could be anything from learning fractions while cooking, to estimating time while planning your day, or even recognising shapes during playtime. The goal is to integrate maths seamlessly into daily routines in the home, making it accessible and enjoyable for children from a young age until they graduate high school.

Research shows that children who participate in everyday maths conversations tend to perform better academically and develop stronger problem-solving skills. This practice helps children build a positive self-identity around maths, moving away from the limiting belief of “I’m not a maths person.” Instead, they learn to see maths as a valuable tool for solving real-world problems and making informed decisions.

Impact on Children and Families

By participating in positive conversations about maths and integrating its use into home activities, families not only help their children excel academically but also foster a love and appreciation for mathematics that can lead to greater opportunities in the future. 

Join the Movement – Positive Conversations!

We invite you to join the Family Math movement by exploring the website below. We particularly recommend viewing the webinar series, including Unlocking the Power of Family Math. There are a number of activity packs and guides for download as well.

For more information and to access these resources, visit the Center for Family Math website or email Miss Emma Pracey at emma.pracey@syd.catholic.edu.au