Teenage and math problems: could there be a connection?
Children who are difficult to handle are often poor problem solvers. Any parent who has trouble raising their teenage son or daughter knows how annoying this problem can be. My wife and I experienced this first hand and I can honestly tell you that the trials we went through were a nightmare. After purchasing a specialized program to teach us how to deal with this problem, we learned that children who have behavior problems are often poor problem solvers. It was then that I saw a revealing connection.
Adolescents who behave inappropriately and display inappropriate, obnoxious, and offensive behavior are often below average or poor in their problem-solving skills. During an episode of anger management, the angry adolescent is often frustrated by some task or challenge that seems oppressive, overwhelming, and insolvent. Rather than taking a more socially responsible course of action, the adolescent will behave abusively towards those around him and generally these episodes will be filled with vulgar language, destructive behavior, and demeaning epithets towards parents, siblings, and even teachers. and other authority figures. This is not something that we as parents want our children to do.
Despite our caring nature with our children, we as parents sometimes have to wage war during our children’s adolescent period, which ranges from thirteen to perhaps nineteen. This is a very difficult period to start with. Take a child who is predisposed either through genetic influences or external peer pressure, or both, and they have a recipe for a potential teen parenting nightmare. How can we mitigate this situation?
It’s ironic that I, as a mathematician, author, and creator of the Wiz Kid series, a former high school and college teacher, had to experience such tremendous problems with my adolescence when it came to school performance and behavior. To correct this problem, my wife and I had to educate ourselves on how to deal with these behavior problems. The situation has improved; however, the emotional cost of the experience has been exhausting.
I relate the above so that people know that no one is immune from problems with their children, regardless of their education, training or background. As a result of my experience, I hope to use the knowledge I have gained to help others who are dealing with these problems or, for those who have children who will one day be teenagers, to help them take preventive measures. Since much of bad behavior is the direct result of poor problem solving and the low self-esteem that results from a child’s feelings of inadequacy, the only sure way to avoid this “bad teen” scenario is to give your children the tools for problem solved.
Start early and get them interested in things like crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, puzzles, and yes, math. The one great subject that teaches everyone how to become effective problem solvers is math. There is no denying this at all and I challenge anyone to debate on this topic. And parents have a responsibility to get them interested in these things. Unfortunately, I didn’t do a good job on this like I should have; however, you can and will do better. Your children deserve it very much.
Go and research my e-books on these topics. You don’t have to buy my books. Check out other sites and products. Buy puzzle books from Barnes and Nobles and other works that stimulate your children’s minds and challenge them to solve problems. I assure you that once they are effective problem solvers, you will not have behavioral problems.
Please email me your thoughts and comments on this very important topic.
All the best.
