“Math is for life. We use it everyday:” examining memorable messages parents give to their children about math education and predictors of their own math self-anxiety, math self-concept, and math self-efficacy

Abstract

This study explored various aspects of the memorable messages about math education that parents shared with their college aged children and parents’ own experiences with math education. Findings revealed that the memorable messages parents recalled sending to their children about math education focused on encouragement, advice, necessity of math, how math skills don’t define you, and math being logical. Memorable message themes were not predicted by parents’ beliefs about their own math anxiety, math self-concept, or math self-efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.