At some point between elementary and junior high school, something seems to occur that generates a rooted dislike toward the scientific disciplines in general and mathematics in particular. This results in most students in developmental education associating the word math with a series of illogical rules, totally disconnected from reality and common sense. As teachers and developmental educators, we need to take responsibility for the situation and create a teaching methodology that emphasizes the understanding of mathematical concepts rather than their rote and disconnected application. Extending results obtained for the general population of underprepared students, this article outlines practical techniques that can be used to make understanding the focal point of mathematical instruction.