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Conquering Math Anxiety: Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Fear and Anxiety

Math anxiety is a common issue that can hinder a child’s academic progress and confidence. As parents, we can play a crucial role in helping our children overcome this fear and develop a positive attitude towards math. Here are some effective strategies to support your child in conquering math anxiety. Understanding Math Anxiety Math anxiety is more than just a dislike for math; it’s a genuine fear that can cause physical symptoms like sweating and a racing heart. According to the American Psychological Association, about 20% to 25% of students experience math anxiety[1]. This anxiety can start as early as elementary school and, if not addressed, can persist into adulthood. Strategies to Overcome Math Anxiety Create a Positive Math Environment: Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort rather than innate ability. Remind your child that making mistakes is a part of learning. Use Relaxation Techniques: Teach your child deep breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques to help them stay calm during math activities. Incorporate Math into Daily Life: Show your child how math is used in everyday tasks like cooking, shopping, and budgeting. This can make math feel more relevant and less intimidating. Provide Extra Support: Consider enrolling your child in

The Room 17 Team April 15, 2025

Room 17 A Place Where Math Is Unexpectedly Fun

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Building a Strong Math Foundation: Why Early Skills Matter for Your Child’s Success

As parents, we all want to give our children the best start in life, and building a strong math foundation is a crucial part of that journey. Foundational math skills like number sense, addition, subtraction, and place value are essential for your child’s academic success and everyday life. Let’s explore why these skills are so important and how you can support your child’s math development. The Importance of Foundational Math Skills Foundational math skills are the building blocks for all future math learning. Without a solid understanding of these basics, children may struggle with more complex math concepts later on. Here’s why each of these skills is vital: Number Sense: This is the ability to understand and work with numbers. It includes recognizing numbers, counting, and understanding numerical relationships. Research shows that strong number sense in early childhood is a predictor of later math achievement[1]. Addition and Subtraction: These are the basic operations that children use to solve problems. Mastery of addition and subtraction is essential for understanding more advanced math topics like multiplication and division. Studies indicate that children who are proficient in these operations perform better in math overall[2]. Place Value: Understanding place value helps children grasp the

The Room 17 Team April 1, 2025

Blog

Making Math Meaningful: Sharing Everyday Math with Your Child

As parents, we often look for ways to support our children’s education and help them see the relevance of what they learn in school. One powerful way to do this is by sharing the math we use in our jobs and everyday tasks with our children. By doing so, we can help them understand the importance of math and develop a positive attitude towards it. The Importance of Math in Everyday Life Math is everywhere in our daily lives, from budgeting and cooking to planning trips and managing time. According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, students who see the practical applications of math in everyday life are more likely to perform better academically[1]. This is because they understand the relevance of what they are learning and are more motivated to engage with the subject. The Value of Talking About Math with Your Child Talking about math with your child can have a significant impact on their mathematical development. Research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education shows that children who engage in math talk at home have better math skills and are more confident in their abilities[2]. This is because discussing math helps children develop

The Room 17 Team March 18, 2025

Blog

Unlocking Math Success: How Games Can Boost Fact Fluency in Elementary Students

As parents, we all want our children to succeed academically and develop a love for learning. One crucial area where many students struggle is math fact fluency—the ability to recall basic math facts quickly and accurately. Recent research shows that incorporating games into math practice can significantly enhance fact fluency, making learning both effective and enjoyable for elementary students. The Power of Games in Math Education Games are more than just fun; they are powerful educational tools. According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, many elementary students have not mastered basic math facts fluently[1]. This gap in foundational skills can hinder their ability to tackle more complex math problems as they progress through school. Why Fact Fluency Matters Fact fluency is essential because it allows students to solve math problems with ease and confidence. When students can quickly recall basic facts, they can focus on understanding and solving more complex problems without getting bogged down by simple calculations. This fluency is linked to higher performance on standardized tests and overall academic success[2]. Games Make Learning Engaging Research indicates that games are highly effective in promoting math fact fluency. A study involving 248 Australian primary school teachers

The Room 17 Team March 4, 2025

NEWS

WTNH: Milford Organization Replaces Math Test with Games

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Milford organization is known for teaching students the notoriously daunting subject of mathematics, using games rather than tests. The agency, Room 17 Math allows kids to explore being flexible thinkers and teaches them that it’s okay to make mistakes, organizers said. Read more here.

The Room 17 Team March 20, 2024

NEWS

Milford/Orange Times: Milford Math Tutoring Service Achieves Non Profit Status

Room 17 Math Tutoring, named after the classroom where its founders first connected, has achieved nonprofit status, enhancing its ability to bring engaging math education to students. Discover how this Milford-based organization is expanding its reach and making a significant impact in the community in this article from The Orange Times.

The Room 17 Team September 6, 2022

NEWS

Milford Living Page 6: Room 17 A Place Where Math Is Unexpectedly Fun

Discover how Room 17, a Milford-based non-profit, is transforming math education by making it engaging and fun for students of all ages. With a mission to spread the joy of mathematics, Room 17 is empowering students through innovative teaching strategies and hands-on experiences. Learn more about their unique approach and growing impact in the this issue of Milford on the Coast.

The Room 17 Team September 6, 2022

NEWS

CT Post: Milford Women Start Nonprofit Math Tutoring Service

Discover the inspiring story of Monica Cavender and Sara Kaminski, two Milford educators who founded Room 17, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making math enjoyable and accessible for students of all ages. Learn how their innovative approach to math education is gaining national attention in this article from the Connecticut Post.

The Room 17 Team February 26, 2022

NEWS

Milford Living Page 12: Read about how Room 17 got their name

Discover the heartfelt story behind the name of Room 17 Math Tutoring, a Milford-based company inspired by the founders’ first meeting in a 4th-grade classroom. Learn how this connection influenced their choice and the creative naming traditions of Milford business owners in this issue of Milford Living.

The Room 17 Team September 29, 2021