{"id":368559,"date":"2021-10-28T14:52:03","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T18:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/why-do-math\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T14:53:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:53:55","slug":"why-do-math","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/why-do-math\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Math? 5 Answers to Give Your Kids (That Will Actually Satisfy Them)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\u201cMommmmm, why do I have to do math? I don\u2019t understand! When am I EVER going to use this???\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve ever heard your kid ask a version of &#8220;Why do math?&#8221;, don&#8217;t worry. You&#8217;re not alone&#8211;you may have said it yourself as a kid! Whenever we struggle with something, we often want to know \u201cWhy am I even doing this, anyway?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So here\u2019s my cheat sheet of answers for you! Keep these handy the next time you need to explain \u201cWhy do I have to do math?\u201d to your child.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#sec1\">It\u2019s Everywhere!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec2\">It\u2019s Important for their Future<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec3\">It\u2019s Fun (Really!)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec4\">It\u2019s Good for Your Brain<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec5\">It\u2019s a Universal Language<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#conclusion\">CONCLUSION<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"why do math\" class=\"wp-image-368563\" style=\"width:400px;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-1-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sec1\">It\u2019s Everywhere!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Math really is everywhere we look. No, not math equations, but things we observe in our homes and in the world all point back to math concepts. A good picture? Probably composed with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4xpda7WB87w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Golden Ratio<\/a>. That shell they love at the beach? A prime example of The Fibonacci Sequence.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another prime example: virtually anything we use or make is based on principles of geometry. Do they love to travel and see cool buildings and bridges and sculptures? Do they like dance, great theater sets, dramatic lighting? That\u2019s geometry (and physics) in action! We can also observe examples of symmetry and dimension everywhere, and pointing that out to kids can make it come alive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sec2\">It\u2019s Important for their Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;I know, I know. This one gets trotted out all the time, but it\u2019s true! Everyone benefits from knowing math. Want to cook? You need to know math. Want to catch the good sales? You\u2019ll know it\u2019s a good one if you can work percentages. Need to figure a tip or split a check at the restaurant? Everyone appreciates the person who can do that quickly and without whipping out their phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There really, truly is no escaping math in life. Maybe your kid isn\u2019t headed to engineering school, but even the \u201cartsiest\u201d of jobs require math (remember those great pictures and well-choreographed dances in point 1?). Problem-solving skills and the ability to make connections are vital in every field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"why do math\" class=\"wp-image-368564\" style=\"width:400px;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1-1-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sec3\">It\u2019s Fun (Really!)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever watched a young child draw math pictures for their lesson, play with the teddy bear counters you\u2019ll find in Saxon K-2, or make shapes using tangrams? What about a child using a compass for the first time, spinning it around, and making perfect circles? They love it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solving equations may not be the most enjoyable thing for a child to do, but playing with math is a blast. If you can, give them plenty of time to spend in those lessons where they get to truly play with new concepts. They\u2019ll make connections and, more importantly, enjoy the learning process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sec4\">It\u2019s Good for Your Brain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Math is one of the few subjects where you have to think abstractly AND concretely, given the topic. <a href=\"https:\/\/iachievelearning.com\/2017\/04\/how-studying-mathematics-and-science-rewires-your-brain-in-amazing-ways\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Math studies help wire your brain<\/a> to use many different parts and \u201clight up\u201d in areas that it wouldn\u2019t otherwise. And that\u2019s a good thing!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider that much of math has to do with planning and strategy\u2026 and then think about if you want your teenager to be able to have those skills as they learn to drive a car and navigate the world. Yes, please!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"why do math\" class=\"wp-image-368565\" style=\"width:400px;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/3-1-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sec5\">It\u2019s a Universal Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1 + 1 has the same answer whether you are in America, Japan, or Ghana. Pi? Always 3.14. Math may not be a spoken language, but math principles apply no matter where you are on the planet. And that is both comforting and practical. We can appreciate different ways cultures apply math and its principles, and we can find same-ness among us, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Math as a universal language helps us to recognize how very similar we are to other humans, regardless of where we live or what we look like. Math as a way to build compassion? Yes! It\u2019s true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">CONCLUSION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Why do math? I\u2019ve really only touched on a few reasons here but I hope it\u2019s helpful to you when you hear the question from a math-resistant kid. It really does have important implications for their future, it\u2019s fun (really), and it is so very good for our brains. Math has been around since ancient times and will always be a universal language that everyone can understand. Yay, Math!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do YOU answer the question: \u201cWhy do Math?\u201d I\u2019d love to hear. Share with me in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to you soon,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nicolethemathlady.com\/about\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"nicolethemathlady.com\/about\">Nicole the Math Lady<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cMommmmm, why do I have to do math? I don\u2019t understand! When am I EVER going to use this???\u201d&nbsp; If [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":368567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,26],"tags":[17,20,6],"class_list":["post-368559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-encouragement","category-schooling-at-home","tag-homeschool-math","tag-saxon-for-homeschoolers","tag-saxon-math"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math-.jpg","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math-.jpg",1920,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math--150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math--300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math--768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math--1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math--1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/102801-Header-Why-Do-Math-.jpg",1920,1080,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Nicole Thomas","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/author\/nicolethemathlady\/"},"uagb_comment_info":18,"uagb_excerpt":"\u201cMommmmm, why do I have to do math? I don\u2019t understand! When am I EVER going to use this???\u201d&nbsp; If [&hellip;]","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=368559"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":853138,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368559\/revisions\/853138"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/368567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=368559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=368559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.nicolethemathlady.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=368559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}