Math is everywhere. From calculating a grocery bill to making sense of data in news headlines, math literacy is a crucial skill that helps us navigate daily life. And as our world becomes increasingly data-driven, the importance of math literacy is greater than ever! Math literacy isn’t just about knowing your times tables or being able to solve equations – it’s about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills. It’s about managing personal finances, interpreting statistics in the media, or understanding how algorithms shape our daily lives. These capabilities are essential in an era of artificial intelligence, automation, and complex global challenges. 

The problem: Math anxiety and declining performance

When you ask adults how they felt about math lessons growing up, their answers don’t tend to be about discovery and excitement. Instead, many recall feeling confused or disengaged. The situation remains similar today, with many students experiencing disengagement, struggling with confidence, and falling short of expected standards. 

Recent results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have highlighted concerning global trends, with declining mathematics performance across numerous countries:

• Sweden: Scores dropped from 509 (2003) to 478 (2012), falling below the OECD average.
• Finland: Once a leading performer, scores decreased by 25 points from 2003 to 2012, with low-performing student percentages rising from 7% to 12%.
• United States: Ranked 36th out of 65 countries in the 2015 PISA assessment, demonstrating similar declines in mathematics proficiency.

The issue isn’t with the learner but rather with traditional math education that moves too fast, is too abstract too soon, doesn’t make connections to real-world problems, or presents math as a series of facts to memorize (but you can’t memorize all of math!).

Our approach: Making math fun with Kahoot!

At Kahoot!, we believe that learning math can be fun and exciting! Our game-based learning apps are designed to not only help kids understand math better but also to lessen any anxiety they might feel about it. A recent study by Professor Osman Ödemir shows that introducing Kahoot! into the classroom can:

• Improve how well students do academically
• Help students remember what they’ve learned
• Increase their motivation
• Significantly reduce math anxiety

Moreover, Kahoot! Kids, available for free on iOS and Android, offers a variety of engaging math apps developed by DragonBox that let children dive into important concepts like algebra, geometry, multiplication, and fractions through interactive games. These games naturally encourage problem-solving: kids get to create strategies, try them out, learn from any mistakes, and keep trying until they succeed. It’s all about building confidence and persistence while having a great time!

Tips for parents: Supporting a positive attitude toward math learning

Parents can make a significant difference by shaping their child’s attitude toward math through simple, practical steps.

• Forget the myth of ‘math people’ versus ‘non-math people’. Math isn’t an innate talent—it’s a skill that can be developed with effort and perseverance. Adopting a growth mindset helps children understand that making mistakes is part of learning.
• Notice math in everyday life. Measuring ingredients while cooking, comparing prices while shopping, or playing board games all involve mathematical thinking. Making these connections helps children see math as useful and relevant rather than just an abstract school subject.
• Engage with your child’s teacher. If your child struggles with math, discussing strategies with their teacher can provide insights and support. Some children may also have conditions like dyscalculia, which affects mathematical understanding in a way similar to dyslexia for reading.
• Make math fun and playful! Whether it’s practicing with Marvel or Disney content on Kahoot! or trying out Kahoot! Learning Apps, math experiences should be engaging, confidence-building, and encouraging.

Celebrate Pi Day with Kahoot! 

To encourage teachers and students to celebrate Pi Day, we have introduced a special reward: a one-time-only Pi monument that students can add to their Kahootopia! island. To unlock this monument, teachers and students can play any Kahoot they choose in Kahootopia! By answering at least 60% of the questions correctly in the game, they will unlock this unique Pi monument. This is a fantastic way to celebrate 3.14!

Building math literacy together

Improving math literacy is a journey that requires patience, emotional management, and diverse teaching approaches. Game-based learning, hands-on activities, and relatable contexts make math approachable, enjoyable, and effective. Together, by creating positive experiences and employing innovative strategies, we can help students embrace math confidently and enthusiastically, equipping them with essential skills for today’s data-driven world.