Self-Talk Helps Children Improve Math Performance

Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. mantra / ˈmæn trə / (n) – a word, sound, or phrase that is often repeated, usually to aid in concentration  
    Example:

    When I’m stressed, I recite a mantra that helps me focus and relax.


  2. pronounced / prəˈnaʊnst / (adj) – very noticeable
    Example:

    The exchange student speaks with a pronounced accent.


  3. competent / ˈkɒm pɪ tənt / (adj) – able to do something very well
    Example:

    A competent mechanic should be able to find out and fix what’s wrong with any car.


  4. central / ˈsɛn trəl / (adj) – important
    Example:

    A good background in math is central to learning physics.


  5. shift / ʃɪft / (v) – to change to a different attitude, opinion, or belief
    Example:

    His reaction to the movie shifted from negative to positive.


Article

Read the text below.

A study done in the Netherlands suggests that children who engage in effort-focused self-talk can improve their math scores.


Two forms of self-talk are effort-focused and ability-focused. Effort-focused self-talk includes mantras like, “I will do my best” or “I am going to try very hard.” In contrast, ability-focused self-talk involves statements like, “I am good at this” or “I can do this.”


The study’s findings show that children who used effort-focused self-talk improved their performance after taking a two-part math exam. The benefits were especially pronounced in children who felt incompetent with their math abilities.


To conduct the study, the researchers asked 212 children aged 9 to 13 years old about how competent they felt in math. Mathematics was the focus subject because it is central to a school curriculum, and performance on the subject is often influenced by negative beliefs about one’s ability.


The children then took the first half of a standardized math test. Then, they were grouped and tasked to either not self-talk, self-talk focusing on effort, or self-talk focusing on ability. Afterward, they completed the test.


According to the researchers, children expect failure when they have negative feelings about their skills. Children would interpret difficulties as a sign of their perceived lack of ability. Effort-focused self-talk shifts children’s attention away from their missing ability and toward putting effort into a task.


The researchers pointed out, however, that the study’s findings are limited to only one specific age group, and that it may not apply to teens. In addition, since the study was conducted in the Netherlands, children’s reaction to self-talk may be different in other countries.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• After reading the article, would you try to incorporate self-talk in your daily life? Why or why not?
• If you could expand the study, what factors would you include (e.g. other cultures, a different subject)? Explain.

Discussion B

• Personally, how much effort are you willing to give in order to achieve your goal? Why?
• If you gave all your efforts but still did not achieve your goal, would you still consider that a success? Why or why not?