Modern Math: Making Sense of New Methods for Parents
Understanding Modern Math: Why Does It Look So Different?
As a parent, you might be starting to get frustrated with math as you see your child coming home with their homework... or maybe you're already at your wits' end! It’s an entirely different language from what we learned in school. You might wonder, "Why are they asking them to solve problems like this? What happened to good old-fashioned multiplication tables?" As an educator with 17 years of experience, including six years as a math instructional coach, I’ve seen these changes up close. It's even changed since I started as a teacher. I want to help you understand why math looks different now and how it can actually benefit your child in the long run.
Why Did Math Change?
Let’s start with the big question: Why did math education change? Simply put, research. Over the years, educators have found that while traditional methods worked for some, they left a lot of students behind. Back when we were in school, the focus was often on memorizing facts and procedures. Probably similar to you, in the end, I could crank out my times tables, but when it came to solving more complex problems or applying math in new situations, many of us hit a wall. The shift in math education is designed to address that.
The goal now is to help kids not just do math but to understand it deeply, on a conceptual level. We want them to develop number sense—the ability to flexibly think about numbers and how they relate to one another—so they can apply math in a variety of contexts. It's also about giving them a toolkit of different strategies they can use to tackle different problems, and for them to know which tool fits which type of problem best.
If you're anything like me, you learned a process, and if you followed the process in math, you were successful. There are still processes and procedures to follow, and you child will learn algorithms, but they're also learning why, and they're learning the why using concrete and visual models to help them understand it even more. They're also learning more about how to choose a reasonable strategy to fit the problem. It’s about developing creating thinkers and problem-solvers rather than just students who can follow steps.
What’s Different About Today’s Math?
So, what exactly is different? A lot of it boils down to how we’re asking kids to think about numbers. Instead of teaching a single “right” way to solve a problem, kids are exposed to multiple strategies. For example, let’s take a simple subtraction problem, like 53 - 28. Instead of just lining up the numbers and borrowing like we were taught, kids might break the numbers apart (decompose them) or count up from 28 to 53. They might even use a number line as a helpful tool to visualize the problem.
At first glance, it can seem confusing. You might think, “Why not just do it the way we learned?” But here’s the thing: when kids learn multiple strategies, they’re building a deeper understanding of how numbers work. It’s like giving them more tools in their toolbox. If one method doesn’t make sense in a certain situation, they have others to rely on.
Why Should I Trust This New Approach?
I get it—there’s a natural skepticism when it feels like everything we knew about math is being turned upside down. But as someone who has been a math instructional coach in two different schools with two different curriculums, I’ve seen firsthand how these changes are helping students succeed, even those who struggled with math before.
This approach helps kids see that math isn’t about memorizing formulas or blindly following steps; it’s about understanding relationships between numbers and using those relationships to solve problems in creative ways. And the best part? Kids are actually enjoying math more because it feels more like solving puzzles than just getting through worksheets.
How Can I Support My Child at Home?
Now, I know the biggest challenge for many parents is, “How do I help my child with their math homework when I don’t even understand it myself?” The good news is, you don’t have to be a math expert to support your child. Here are a few simple ways to help:
- Ask Questions, Don’t Just Give Answers
If your child is stuck on a problem, resist the urge to jump in and show them “the right way.” Instead, ask them questions like, “Can you explain what you’ve tried so far?” or “Why do you think this strategy might work?” This encourages them to think critically and talk through their thought process. - Embrace Mistakes
One of the biggest shifts in math education is helping kids see mistakes as part of the learning process, not something to be afraid of. It's all about having a growth mindset. Let your child know it’s okay if they don’t get it right the first time. Encourage them to try different strategies and figure out what works. There's tons of research behind how mistakes help our brain make more synapses and connections, while we don't want mistakes all the time, they're actually good for our learning process. - Use Everyday Math
Math is all around us, and you can help your child practice their number sense by involving them in real-life situations. Whether it’s cooking together and measuring ingredients, calculating time for a trip, or discussing prices while grocery shopping, these moments help make math relevant and engaging. Need some ideas? Join our community for free resources for every elementary grade level. - Join Raising Mathematicians
Yes, I'm going to promote my own product here. You get access to so many videos which are designed to help parents gain an understanding of the "why" behind math curricula these days. You can start to "speak the same language" as the teachers, thereby helping promote the learning because you're all on the same team, on the same front.
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, I want to reassure you that this shift in math education isn’t about making things harder for parents or kids. It’s about equipping students with the skills they’ll need for the future—a future where they’ll need to think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to new challenges. I’ve seen students thrive under this new approach, developing confidence in their math abilities and becoming more curious, flexible thinkers.
As a parent, you’re already doing so much to support your child’s learning, and it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers when it comes to math. Everyone's journey is different, and we're figuring it out one step at a time. And if you ever feel like you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, you're on the same team. Math may look different now, but the goal remains the same: helping your child succeed and enjoy the learning journey along the way.
Any questions, stories, amusing anecdotes? Please share with us in the comments!
For inquiring minds who want to know more, I recommend you dig into some of Jo Boaler's research out of Stanford. You can even get her book Mathematical Mindsets which digs into the brain research behind so much of this. Even if you don't love math yourself, it's a fascinating read. Please note I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link.