For Parents
The following resources may be of interest to parents. As you might imagine, from time to time I encounter such things in my reading, and so I thought I would keep a record of them. I cannot claim to fully embrace every aspect of each resource listed here, but I provide the information "as is" for parents to evaluate. If you as a parent would like to further discuss any topic mentioned here, you are invited to email me.
Parental Resources
Tips to help your child have a successful school year (2016, NY Times) - Nutrition, sleep and managing stress are all important for a successful school year. Here are some scientifically-proven tactics for ensuring that your child has a strong foundation for getting the most out of every day inside the classroom.
Fending off math anxiety (2017, NY Times) - A discussion of some recent research on math anxiety, which exists worldwide and affects students of all ability levels, and an exploration of how math anxiety may be transferred from one generation to the next.
Is a teen depressed, or just moody? (2017, NY Times) - Well, I am a mathematician, and certainly outside my area of expertise here, but I found this interesting reading on this important topic.
Make your daughter practice math. She'll thank you for it later. (2018, NY Times) An engineering professor discusses how many girls can have a special advantage over boys — an advantage that can steer them away from the all-important building block of mathematics.
Retirement planning in high school? It's never too early, experts say (2018, NY Times) This article articulates what Mr. MacLennan has been recommending for years: teenage students who work should consider establishing a Roth IRA, and families with sufficient means should consider loaning or matching funds so that students can maximize contributions and tax-free earnings for 40+ years. This is a prime example of understanding mathematics (namely, exponential functions) well enough to make one's life better. In this case, $1.2 million better.
Square root of kids' math anxiety: Their parents' help Turns out math anxiety is contagious...from parents to their children.
When does a child need a sick day? (2017, NY Times) - It's not always easy to make that call, especially when we're rushed for time.
Why are more American teenagers than ever suffering from severe anxiety? (2017. NY Times) - An investigation of a troubling trend.