Does my G son have a short memory in Math?

Question

No jokes please. The school says he does. I don't belive it. He is a normal intelligent 12 yr old kid. He enjoys "kings list" math games. He is the oldest of 4. His parents are thinking of stopping his 'calm down ' medication. which I don't think he ever needed in the 1st place. I am not his parent and do not even try to be. When they are out at my place, I try to make it like a mini wacation. I have never had to get on to them for anything. They just seem to know what I expect of them. And I am not a loud demanding person. But, if it works, don't fix it.
I guess I'm getting away from the botton line. Donald gets good grades except in math. IS THERE SUCH A THING AS SHORT TERM MEMORY IN JUST MATH? I intend to let him read your answers himself. It had an impact on Gson #1 when he read my ? and your answers when he got caught stealing at school. Please excuse my wording. I'm not very good with words. But I know my kids and Grandkids.

Answer 1

Yes, math is figured out by another part of his brain from normal things like spelling, english most of those are just recalls, but with math his brain has to absorb and find the answer. Talk to a doctor because it maybe that he has a low level for of ADD. Remember to help him believe in himself that he is capable of doing it.. positive reinforcement is always the best.. I wish you all the luck in the world to help you.

Answer 2

I've taken a lot of neuroscience classes in college, and I didn't ever encounter any such thing as a short term memory for math. The brain really isn't set up that way.

What I think is the case is that he just doesn't like the math they teach in school as much as the other subjects, so that he studies less hard or pays less attention, and hence does worse. If his school math is so bad that it's an issue, I'd just try to play more math games at home if he likes them, or such... be more involved in the math homework (not do the work for him, but explain the concepts in a variety of different ways). If he's 12, he's probably learning algebra, so make sure that he understands what variables like x and y are, etc. If there are certain formulas he needs to learn and has trouble remembering, explain to him that math is just like any other subject... you primarily learn it by doing it, but sometimes sitting down and doing some rote memorization is a good thing too. Computer programming uses a lot of algebra, so if he'd be interested in taking an extracurricular course in Java or C++ or so (or he could teach himself from a book) that could really benefit his math skills without feeling too much like math homework.

If math is the only subject he's not good at, it's probably not ADD, and he probably doesn't need any medication. ADD is way overdiagnosed nowadays. How many kids are good at every subject anyway? I'd be glad he was doing well in everything but math... some kids suck at all school subjects.

There's a cultural difference in this too, btw... Asians tend to believe that anybody can learn anything, as long as they work hard at it, whereas Americans tend to believe much more in innate ability, which is one of the reasons Americans do worse in school. Scientifically, it seems the Asians are closer to the truth.

Answer 3

No it's just an excuse he is using because he don't want to accept responsibility for his poor grades or lack of desire. I am sorry to be so blunt but short term memory is something that happens in older people not in 12 year old kids who just are not trying hard enough in one class. If it had been all his subjects I would maybe feel differently but only one class it's an excuse of convenience. I would not allow him to manipulate you in such a way.