Our Emotional Journey With Learning Mathematics Must Include Being Lost In Its Beautiful Wilderness
When I started tutoring Amoret Lyon — who now lives in Frascati, Italy — there was no plan to write a book. There was definitely no plan to write a book with a young child.
That all changes about two months in — mainly because we become great friends. It’s not that hard to imagine. I am a 60 year-old kid.
It’s just two kids doing mathematics, and now writing a book.
When we started writing the book, there was no plan as what was going to go in it. I just knew that there was some pixie dust that was being sprinkled around Amoret and myself.
The idea to have emotional characters to support Amoret’s learning experience and her desire to express herself in the varying degrees that a child especially wants to, came a year into our mathematical friendship.
The idea for Amoret to draw out these characters came soon after. She also happens to have an amazing illustrator to help her create and bring the most life to each emotion that is represented. Her name is Isabella Mazzanti.
My favorite character is “Lost”, and that will be explained in more detail in the book. Amoret’s favorite character is “Excited” — together they form a powerful union.
Here are some of the benefits of being “Lost”
1. Promotes Self-Discovery: When lost, we are forced to rely on our inner compass and intuition, leading us to make choices and decisions based on our own values and beliefs. This process can reveal hidden passions, talents, and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we truly desire.
2. Encourages Growth and Learning: Being lost often presents unexpected challenges and opportunities for learning and adaptation. We are forced to step outside of our comfort zones, try new things, and potentially make mistakes, all of which can lead to valuable growth and resilience.
3. Opens Doors to New Possibilities: The feeling of being lost can be a powerful signal that we are not on the right path or are not living up to our full potential. It can be a catalyst for exploring new career paths, relationships, or personal interests, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
4. Breaks Down Barriers and Comfort Zones: Feeling lost forces us to confront our fears and insecurities, as we are no longer able to rely on our familiar routines and expectations. This can lead to a greater sense of courage, independence, and self-reliance.
5. Cultivates Mindfulness and Present Moment Awareness: In the face of uncertainty, we are often forced to slow down and pay attention to the present moment. This can lead to a greater appreciation for the small things in life and a more mindful approach to navigating the journey.
6. Enhances Resilience and Adaptability: Being lost can teach us to embrace the unknown and to adapt to changing circumstances. We learn to trust our instincts, make decisions under pressure, and find creative solutions to challenges.
In essence, being lost is not necessarily a negative experience. It can be a powerful opportunity for growth, discovery, and ultimately, finding our way.
Finding our way with mathematics. That would be a completely new way to experience learning here. Being lost is actually a beautiful thing.
Emotional learning, however, is nothing new in the broader idea of education. In fact, there have been some amazing books on the subject. Few better than Mark Brackett’s book — he was at the same Mental Health Summit that I attended/spoke at last week in Banff, Alberta.
Permission to feel. That idea is thankfully watering some of the parched landscape of education.
Unfortunately, mathematics education — hobbled and handcuffed by its own institutionalized ideas of performance, efficiency, and general dehumanizing learning conditions/approaches — is all but a cracked desert.
I hope that the words, drawings, and feelings of a young girl begin to offer some much needed relief.
The mathematics in this book is well beyond the years that would be typical for someone her age. I am certain that being able to express feelings like lost, frustration, joy, excited, etc. have been instrumental in Amoret feeling uninhibited and confident in learning mathematics — and being able to see her whole self being reflected and refracted through the world of sacred patterns, magical numbers, and inviting algebra.
The final cover will be designed by Isabella Mazzanti and Amoret Lyon. A sneak peek should be available sometime in the summer.
The plan is to have the book released in early 2026!
