Bedtime Math

Can math be fun? Can adults who are not PhDs in math teach their kids?

When I ask my kids, “Hey, how about we work on some math problems!?” I get responses from this multiple choice list:

1. I’d rather give my little brother my favorite shoes.
2. Can we go to In-N-Out if we do?
3. How long is it going to take?

In other words, we have to ask the question in a different way. Or here’s an even more revolutionary approach: don’t even ask the question. In fact, don’t even mention that you’re about to “do some math” or possible (heaven help us) learn something. Bring the real world into it. Ask how many millions they would earn over their 8-year NBA contract if they earned 5 million per year. Believe me, they’ll think about it.

When I’m the type of dad who posts articles titled, “Make money, teach your kids math, and clean the house … at the same time.” and “Low-cost alternatives to Golden State Warriors tickets.” then I appreciate an app that helps your kids with math and helps parents with helping their kids with math.

NPR: Where The Wild Fractions Are: The Power Of A Bedtime (Math) Story

Bedtime Math is an company whose mission is “is to help kids love numbers so they can handle the math in real life.” Pretty cool, right?

Parents who are uneasy about their own math skills often worry about how best to teach the subject to their kids. — NPR

Our study suggests that doing Bedtime Math with your kids can help advance their math achievement over the school year, and this might be especially important for parents who are a little bit nervous about their own math ability.

How do you teach your kids subjects that you’re not so good with?

• Possible: try to remember algebra
• Impossible: put a math book under their pillow
• Repossible: gamify