THE IMPACTS OF MATHEMATICS ON YOUR PERSONAL

DEVELOPMENT

Since you were a child, mathematics has been an essential part of your life. From the moment
you started counting your fingers and your toes, arranging building blocks in different
patterns, figuring out how many colouring pencils you would use, mathematics has been
woven into the fabric of our daily lives whilst shaping our personal development since
childhood.

At a young age
From the moment we started to interact with our surrounding, mathematics has played a vital role in
helping us make sense of the world. As a toddler, counting became the first generic principle of
mathematics applied- a way to quantify and understand the amount of things in the environment-
laying the groundwork for basic numeracy skills.
Moreover, counting also played a crucial role in our language development. As we recited our
numbers (whilst consequently developing the skill of one-to-one correspondence), we engaged in
verbal communication and vocabulary building. Counting provided an opportunity for us to practise
oral language skills such as pronunciation, articulation and sentence structure.

Cognitive development
Cognitive skills refer to the mental processes and abilities that enable individuals to acquire
knowledge, understand information, solve problems and engage in complex tasks.
They are interconnected and play a crucial role in various aspects of daily life, academic
achievements, professional success and personal development.
There is a growing body of correlational and experimental evidence demonstrating associations
between general cognitive skills and proficiency with specific components of mathematics. From
working memory, inhibitory control to spatial skills and language skills: mathematical activities
promote logical thinking and deductive reasoning skills which strengthens your ability to think
logically, analyse information, and draw valid conclusions.
Also by engaging with mathematical concepts and solving problems, you develop and refine problem-
solving skills. This process involves breaking down problems into manageable parts, identifying
relevant information, applying appropriate strategies and evaluating solutions which are absolutely
fundamental to cognitive development.

Maths and Memory

We have two types of long-term memory: implicit and explicit. The explicit memory is the part we are
aware of. It may involve recalling simple facts e.g. capital cities. Implicit memory is the unconscious
memory of skills. These memories are typically acquired through repetition and practice and are
composed of automatic skills so deeply embedded that we're no longer aware of them. By mastering
essential foundation skills in maths, we can shift the load from our conscious explicit memory to our
unconscious implicit memory. This enables us to achieve a level of maths fluency necessary for more
analytical thinking and problem solving.
Moreover, mathematics could potentially enhance our memory through its cognitive demands and by
thorough active engagement. The complexity of mathematic concepts and procedures requires us to
manipulate and actively process information in our working memory, stimulating memory formation
and consolidation. Additionally, the integration of multiple cognitive processes such as reasoning,
problem-solving and spatial visualising promotes deeper levels of processing and encoding in
memory. Overall, engaging with mathematics fosters metacognitive awareness, enabling us to identify
effective memory strategies whilst optimizing memory performance, leading to improved cognitive
functioning and memory retention in the long term.

Overcoming challenges
Undoubtedly, we encounter many challenges on a day-to-day basis, ranging from simple tasks such as
finding the quickest route to work to more complex issues like managing crucial expenses. In maths,
when faced with challenges, we often take a logical approach, applying problem solving strategies to
find a solution. This may involve breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable
components and systematically analysing each part to arrive at a solution. If we actively use this
mathematic-based approach in our day-to-day lives, we may essentially overcome many challenges.
For example, when tackling homework, we can break assignments into smaller tasks or sections. By
systematically working through each part, we can effectively and gradually make progress and avoid
feeling overwhelmed.
Also, time-management is fundamental in maximising efficiency in maths. In exams, we may follow
the ‘one mark per minute’ rule to ensure we manage our time effectively. Likewise, if we structure our
day and allocate different timings for different tasks, we can make the most of our time and
accomplish more with less stress.

In conclusion, the impact of mathematics on personal development is extensive: shaping our cognitive
abilities, memory, problem-solving skills and approach to overcoming challenges from an early age.
From the foundational skills learned in childhood, such as counting and pattern recognition, to the
more advanced cognitive processes involved in logical reasoning and spatial visualisation,
mathematics provides a framework for understanding the world and developing us. We learn essential
skills and habits that extend beyond the realm of mathematics, contributing to overall personal growth
and success.

- Shreya Sharma

Sources I used :
-https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjdp.12200#:~:text=Mathematics
%20contributes%20to%20the%20development%20of%20general%20cognitive,cognitive
%20ability%2C%20at%20least%20between%207%20and%209.

https://komodomath.com/blog/working-memory-fluency-and-practice-the-science-of-learning-
mathematics#:~:text=By%20helping%20children%20truly%20master%20the%20essential
%20foundation,such%20as%20analytic%20thinking%20and%20complex%20problem
%20solving.