👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 -> 🧒👧 -> 👩‍🏫🏫 /\/ 👨‍🎓👩‍🎓🎓 To parents of children aspiring to pursue A-level maths: mind the gap!

Today, I aim to discuss the gap that frequently arises between secondary education (GCSE, up to 15-16 years old) and A-levels (16+ years old).

Spoiler alert:
While this notion may be applicable to all subjects, for mathematics students, this gap can prove particularly challenging and potentially detrimental.

—————————————————————

❌🪄 There’s no magic in mathematics!

It is binary and straightforward.

And maths can be cruel, due to its exceptionally steep learning curve!

However, children and their parents are often unaware of this reality.

You see?
There’s a critical turning point (perhaps present in all subjects? It’s certainly present in mathematical learning!) that unexpectedly makes maths almost insurmountable for students. This turning point can manifest at any maths learning stage, especially when dealing with topics like the number line, fractions, trigonometry, or any other topic that involves an exceptionally large number of
🧠Maths Brain-Twisters🌀 to tackle.

Very often, it occurs between GCSE and A-levels.

📢 ❗ All of the above is true
only if a solid maths foundation
was not established
for a child early enough.

Unfortunately, schools often fall short in assisting children to address all the “maths brain-twisters”. As a result, the following scenario typically unfolds.

Children navigate through primary maths, understanding it only subconsciously – which is normal.

However, without adequate assistance they continue muddling, practically never breaking through to a conscious understanding of maths, i.e. essentially never crossing
💜THE GREAT MATHS BARRIER🧠+💜.
The more diligent and talented a child is in maths, the longer they are willing to muddle through, but only up until a certain point!

And maths can be very unforgiving…

While mathematicians and parents may be aware of this, it’s often a revelation for children.

So, many talented at maths students who excel in GCSE maths go on to A-levels only to face serious difficulties when confronted with the rigor of A-levels maths!
(Thank you, dear Rebecca Morley, for allowing me to share your story – see slides below…)

📢 Dear parents!
Maths at A-level transforms into a genuinely challenging subject that doesn’t readily forgive the absence of a proper foundation. It’s more common for our children to encounter significant difficulties during A-levels maths than one might be aware of! Experiencing an A-level maths crash (failing mocks and exams) is far more common than schools and general media often present.

🧠+💜 However, dear parents!
I can reassure you that your child will never face a maths crash at any level if maths is taught to them correctly, establishing a healthy maths foundation early enough!

❓ Do you dream of your child realising their maximum maths potential and pursuing A-levels?

Feel free to share your views with me!
—
🟪 I help children excel in mathematics.
🟪 I share proven ideas on how to effectively help children with mathematics.
📢 If you found this article helpful, you might be interested in following #MorrishMaths on social media for FREE tips and ideas.
📢 Feel free to contact me directly to discuss your child’s progress in mathematics.

—
The link to Rebecca Morley’s post I mentioned in this post and in the slides is here.