Research: The way you talk to your child about math matters
“You’re so smart!”
This encouraging response may actually do more harm than good to children’s math performance, according to a new study by the University of Georgia.
Co-conducted by Michael Barger, an assistant professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Educational Psychology, the study found that encouraging children with responses related to their personal traits or innate abilities may dampen their math motivation and achievement over time.