Elephant Head Software is the parent company of Elephant Learning. On average students in our system learn years of mathematics in just a few months.
Denver, Colorado
Joined November 2010
- Tweets102
- Following34
- Followers44
- Likes6
“I hate math. I’ll never get this.”
A feeling now is not a verdict on future learning. Hear the frustration. Listen for the tangled part. Help with that part and leave room for the next attempt.
Adapted from Treating Mathematics Anxiety, Ch. 6.
Maryam Mirzakhani explored difficult mathematics with drawings on large sheets of paper. Her daughter thought she was painting.
Her story offers an image of math beyond instant answers: curiosity, patience, and work made visible.
news.stanford.edu/stories/20…
Hailee’s story began with frustration around difficult math. Her mom Sandra later reported greater independence—and a new response when asked to begin: “OK.”
Read this family’s experience:
elephantlearning.com/media-t…
A 3 × 4 rectangle and a 2 × 6 rectangle each cover 12 square units. Their perimeters are 14 and 16 units.
Same area. Different boundary. A creative choice can reveal a mathematical question.
elephantlearning.com/blog/tr…
1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4. Why?
Half of one bar is 2 quarters. Add 1 quarter: 3 quarters. Rename the pieces in the same unit before adding their counts.
elephantlearning.com/blog/la…
The calculator declared an emergency. More practice?! The abacus brought a headset.
Abigail appreciated revisiting tricky ideas.
*This is how we imagine the story behind this testimonial. The actual parent's words are in the image.*
They can say the counting words. Can they make a group?
Put six blocks down and ask, “Give me four.” Let them slide one at a time; count together if needed. No timer, no race.
Inspired by Treating Mathematics Anxiety, Ch. 2.
Jordan’s story included junior varsity before varsity.
An idea for math: choose one small target. Use objects or a drawing. Notice what felt easier and what still needs help.
Our activity suggestion, inspired by his story.
elephantlearning.com/blog/mi…
13 buttons. One group of ten. Three left over.
13 = 10 + 3. Mix them up—is it still 13? Let your child explain.
An activity inspired by Melissa’s family story: elephantlearning.com/media-t…
Draw a path. Roll 3: move to 1, 2, 3. Next roll 2? Move to 4, then 5. The starting square is not a move.
Let your child point, count, or explain when to stop. Add squares as needed. 🎲
elephantlearning.com/blog/ho…
Math time feeling tense? Pause before helping. Ask your child to show one part that makes sense, then start there together. Our suggestion, inspired by Blooming Curious 68.
rss.com/podcasts/blooming-cu…
When “I can’t do math” comes up, try: “Which part can you show me?” Let them point, draw, or explain. Listen for where confusion starts. An idea inspired by this archived Loving Living Local conversation.
elephantlearning.com/media/d…
I organized a stationery standing ovation. 🐘
Yudith reports her daughter saying ‘mom I got this.’
This is how we imagine the story behind this testimonial. The actual parent's words are in the video.
elephantlearning.com/testimo…
The calculator gasped. Confidence entered the chat. 🐘
Let your child choose a math problem and show their thinking.
*This is how we imagine the story behind this testimonial. The actual parent's words are in the image.*
A wrong answer can be a useful clue. Ask: “Why do you think that is correct?”
Compare 5 counters with 3. “How many more?” means the 2 extra—not the total of 5.
Listen. Clarify. Try again.
From The Why Method, Treating Mathematics Anxiety.
Give a math idea something real: start with 3 blocks, add 2, and let your child move, count, or explain before writing 3 + 2 = 5.
Inspired by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan’s story.
elephantlearning.com/blog/he…
I had a whole speech prepared. Then I got excited and forgot everything except “I’m so excited.” 🐘❤️
Anyway. Please watch my very professional announcement.
Love,
JE
Ellis struggled to remember math steps. Try 3 groups of 4 coins: build, draw, or explain the 12, then write 3 × 4 = 12.
elephantlearning.com/media-t…
When math gets stuck, ask your child to show their thinking. Try a simpler example they understand, then build from one small success.
From Parenting with Impact with Dr. Aditya Nagrath.
Full conversation: impactparents.com/math-anxie…
