Erin & Liz | Helping Families with Math

Transforming Math Anxiety into Joy: The Math Happiness Project Transforming Math Anxiety into Joy: The Math Happiness Project What word comes to mind when you hear “math”? For many, it’s not “happiness.” But this episode might just change that. Jeremy sits down with Erin O’Halloran and Liz Cutter-Lin, two passionate educators and founders of the Math Happiness Project, to explore how we can reshape the way students, parents, and teachers experience math. From personal stories of math trauma to practical tips for families, this conversation dives deep into the emotional landscape of math education. Learn how simple shifts—like building number sense at home or rethinking speed as a marker of success—can help children develop a lifelong love for math. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or learner, you'll walk away with inspiring strategies and a renewed perspective. Takeaways - Math is the language of the universe, connecting various disciplines. - Many individuals have experienced math trauma, impacting their confidence. - Families play a crucial role in shaping children's attitudes towards math. - It's essential to normalize struggle in learning math. - Teachers wear many hats and contribute significantly to student development. - Lifelong learning is vital for educators and students alike. - Patience is key in allowing students to process and understand math concepts. - Math can be beautiful and is present in everyday life. - Changing the narrative around math can help reduce anxiety. - Resources and support for families can enhance children's math experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Math Happiness 03:09 Founders' Backgrounds and Experiences 06:07 The Importance of Supporting Families in Math Education 08:54 Lessons Learned from Colleagues 11:54 Wisdom to Share with Future Educators 14:52 Aha Moments in Education 18:02 The Role of the Math Happiness Project 20:45 The Role of Adults in Math Education 23:52 Changing Mindsets Around Math 29:57 Engaging Families in Math Learning 33:00 The Reality of Teaching and Educators' Impact 36:53 Recommended Resources for Math Education 💬 What word do YOU associate with math? Drop it in the comments and join the movement toward math joy. 🔗 Explore more from the Math Happiness Project = @MathHappinessProject ❤️ If you believe in the power of education and lifelong learning, consider subscribing to the Why Edify Podcast and sharing this episode with a friend. 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/ 🔔 Never Miss an Update! 🔔 Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Why_Edify?sub_confirmation=1

What word comes to mind when you hear “math”?'

In this Why Edify episode, I talk with the founders of the Math Happiness Project about transforming math anxiety into joyful, meaningful learning—at home and in schools.

🎥 Watch: bit.ly/3H9ogyg
@mathhappinessproj.bsky.social #WhyEdify #EduSky

6 Card Games to Joyfully Build Math Skills for Kids this Summer Summer break is here, and while kids deserve time to relax and play, many of us worry about the dreaded "summer slide" – that gradual loss of academic skills during the months away from school. But wh...

Playing card games can be a fun and easy way to build math skills! Check out our blog post for 6 games to play to help your child maintain and build their math skills this summer!

www.mathhappinessproject.com/post/6-card-...

Just like libraries have reading programs to keep kids engaged, our FREE Summer Math Bingo sheet keeps math skills sharp this summer while having fun!

www.mathhappinessproject.com/resource/sum...

#summermath #summerfun #summerwithkids #math #edusky #parentingtips #parenting #kidsmath

5 Summer Math Activities for Kids That Make Learning Fun and Easy Looking for easy ways to keep math learning going during summer break? These summer math activities for kids build math thinking skills–without needing to sit your child down to do a workbook. If you’...

Summer learning doesn't have to feel like work! Here are 5 fun ways to keep math skills sharp this summer without a single worksheet or set of flashcards!

www.mathhappinessproject.com/post/5-summe...

#edusky #math #parentingtips #parents #mathhelp #summerbreak #summer #mathfun #education #math

#edusky #math #mathhelp #parenting #parentingtips #education

#edusky #math #mathhelp #parenting #parentingtips #education

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project No Stress Way to Help Your Child With Math! (Math Thinking Monday #10)

Math Thinking Monday! This week ask: What is a number that is really big? Really Small? How do you know?!

Help your child think about context: Big compared to what? A hundred books might be a lot for their backpack but not for a library! More tips for this question: www.youtube.com/shorts/dRw7y...

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project I Asked My Daughter What Some "Old School" Math Phrases Meant...

Erin asked her daughter what some "old school" math phrases meant-- it was fun to hear what she had to say!

youtube.com/shorts/wfU_2...

When we say “I’m bad at math” or “Math isn’t my thing” it tells our children that some people just can’t do math and lets them think maybe that’s true for them too.

Your shift in language might be more powerful for your child than you might realize.

Want a quick & easy way to help your child with math? Stop saying, "I'm bad at math."

Instead, try “Yeah, this is tricky for me too. I’m going to have to work hard to try and figure it out” or “I don’t know how to do this yet either. Let’s see if we can come up with some ideas together.”

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Quick and Easy Way to Build Math Skills with Your Kids! (Math Thinking Monday #8)

This week's Math Thinking Monday question to talk about with your kids: Would you rather: Have 2 pots with 4 daisies in them or 3 pots with 3 tulips in them? Why?

Tip: There is no right answer!

youtube.com/shorts/Tt2jO...

#edusky #math #parenting #parentingtips #teaching #learning

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Star in a Jar Read Aloud

Any easy way to tie in more math thinking with your children is during your story time! Check out this example video of bringing math into story time! This video is also great for kids to watch!

youtu.be/mX4XgT2f2lY

#edusky #math #parenting #parentingtips #teaching #storytime #education

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Build Your Child's Math Skills This Week with This Question! (Math Thinking Monday #7)

For this week's Math Thinking Monday Question, ask: "What's something you can count by looking out the window right now? How might you count it?"

Check out this week's video for tips! youtube.com/shorts/SIRUM...

Do you ever think about how you're told to read with your kids every day, but no one ever says to talk with them about math? 🤔

Reading is definitely important, but math deserves the same emphasis!

#edusky #parenting #parentingease #teaching #math #education

Events | Math Happiness

70–78% of kids lose math skills over summer (Kuhfeld, 2019).

It doesn’t have to be that way. And no, we’re not talking about daily workbooks.

Join our upcoming workshop to learn simple, flexible ways to keep your child thinking mathematically this summer.

www.mathhappinessproject.com/event-list

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Math Thinking Monday #6: Which Shape is Different? (Great Way to Help Your Kids with Math)

Have you seen this week's Math Thinking Monday?! Super easy way to develop math skills with your kiddos! New one every Monday on our YouTube channel!

youtube.com/shorts/KJ1bg...

#edusky #parenting #parentingtips #mathhelp #parents #parentingease #math

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Math Thinking Monday #5: Guess My Number (Fun & Easy Way to Help Your Kids With Math)

This week's Math Thinking Monday is a favorite game to play in both of our houses! Guess my Number! A simple way to build mathematical thinking with children!

youtube.com/shorts/-HK_f...

#edusky #teaching #math #teachingmath #parenting #parentingtips #education #educationgames

Excited to watch!

Math From the Start: Nurturing your child's early math skills ages 1-5 | Math Happiness Looking for simple ways to support your young child’s early math development? This workshop will show you how everyday moments can spark powerful math learning. You’ll leave with easy-to-use strategi...

Join us June 5 at 7:30pm CST for a one-hour virtual workshop on early math development!

Learn simple, research-based ways to nurture your young child’s mathematical thinking!

www.mathhappinessproject.com/event-detail...

#parenting #parentingtips #edusky #earlymath #parents #kids #homeschoooling

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Math Thinking Monday #4: Donut Arrays

This week’s Math Thinking Monday has us hungry for donuts! 🍩 Don’t miss out on this week’s quick and easy way to talk about math with your kids!
youtube.com/shorts/la8ng...

#edusky #maththinkingmonday #parenting #parentingtips #earlymath #easymath #simplemath #teachingmath #math

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Try this game to help your child with their addition facts!

Want a game to help your child become more efficient with their addition facts?

Try Count on Cover up! Simple to set up and play :) Check it out here ⬇️

www.youtube.com/shorts/uvPuv...

loved Ender's Game (and all the follow up books). I actually didn't read it till I was an adult. One of my sweet 4th grader students kept insisting I would love it and he was right!

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Use those recyclables into learning tools!!

Check out these easy ways to repurpose items that would normally be headed into the recycling bin into tools for working on early math skills!

youtube.com/shorts/z5jLf...

#edusky #earlymath #earthday #earthmonth #savetheplanet
#parentingtips #parenting #reuse

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Math Thinking Monday #3: Recycling Cans

Check out our latest post from our Math Thinking Monday series! This series provides simple, accessible opportunities to discuss math with your child. No special materials needed—just a few minutes of math talk wherever you are!
youtube.com/shorts/ZslSP...

#edusky #math #parenting #teachingmath

Mathis a great tool for engaging your children with the environment this Earth Day! Math connections can be a powerful way to make abstract environmental concepts tangible. Check out these images for some great conversation starters!

#edusky #earthday #math #teaching #environment #savetheplanet

We're loving all the square number days this year!

Erin O'Halloran Shares Earned Wisdom: Teacher Education, Math Happiness, and Undesired Behaviors Interview with Erin O'Halloran, co-founder of The Math Happiness Project, discussing her journey from financial analyst to educator and her mission to transform math education. Learn about her insights on teaching, behavior management, and creating positive mathematical experiences for families.

Grateful for Erin's opportunity to share her 'earned wisdom' with @why-edify.bsky.social 🥳

Check it out!
www.jeremyajorgensen.com/erin-ohallor...

#math #teaching #edusky #whyedify #earnedwisdom #stem #womeninstem

Events | Math Happiness What are you looking for help with? What do you want to know more about?

Enjoy your coffee or tea in peace while your children listen to a fun story and talk about math! 😀

Join us online at 9:00 CST on 4/25 for a free math story time!

Register Here: www.mathhappinessproject.com/event-list

YouTube video by Math Happiness Project Play Dot Flash to build number sense, Subitizing, addition, and subtraction skills!

We've got another fun game to build your child's subitizing skills!

Check it out: www.youtube.com/shorts/dUZPR...

Get the card sets here: www.mathhappinessproject.com/product-page...

#edusky #parenting #math #earlymath #teaching #games #newmath

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