The Princess Bride Conquers Math Anxiety

On Thursday my dear little aspiring astronaut came into my room rather distraught and the following conversation ensued.

Child: (clutching math book) I don’t get it. I just don’t get it. I have tried everything and I just don’t it. (she plops down into my chair.)

Mom: Am I to understand that you are having trouble with your math?

Child: (chin quivering in frustration and now at the brink of tears) I have tried everything and it just doesn’t make sense.

Mom: In that case, I have only one thing to say to you… (dramatic pause)

Mom continuing: Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togevah today. Mawwiage. That bwessed event. That dweam wivin a dweam. … And wuv twue wuv will fowwow you fowevah.

Child: dissolves into hysterical laughter.

Mom: (holding out arms) Now come here Pwincess Buwwukwup.

Mom then snuggles child and reaches into private stash to produce a piece of chocolate.

Mom: Will this help?

Child nods vigorously taking chocolate.

Mom gives Child a few moments to savor her chocolate.

Mom: Okay, Pwincess Buwwahkwup, let’s see if we can figure this math out.

From here we discussed the math issues, which turned out to be compound interest ( is it any wonder that she was having problems). By replacing the frustration with a bit of silliness, she was able to calm down and refocus. This allowed us to discuss the problem she was having and move on to understanding. Isn’t amazing that a little silliness can conquer math anxiety.

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If this makes absolutely no sense to you, it means that you have not seen the movie The Princess Bride. You really must see it. It is a classic film filled with “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…”
You can click this link to see the scene referenced here.