If your child struggles with math, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Millions of students around the world struggle with math on a daily basis. But don’t despair; there are plenty of things you can do to help your child improve their math skills. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best ways to help your child overcome their struggles in math. So, read on for tips and tricks that will help turn your child into a math whiz!
Why Do Some Children Struggle?
One of the main reasons why math can be challenging for children is because it is a cumulative subject. What I mean by that is that it builds upon itself year after year. This is why so many parents worry when their children get disengaged with or disconnected from math. When a child falls behind in math, it can be difficult to catch up because the concepts build on each other.
For example, a child who doesn’t understand addition may also have trouble with subtraction because subtraction is just addition in reverse. A child who doesn’t understand multiplication may also have difficulty with division because division is just multiplication in reverse. As a result, it’s important for parents to stay vigilant and ensure that their children are keeping up with math concepts from year to year. Otherwise, the child may fall further and further behind, making it increasingly difficult to catch up.
Math Anxiety
Another reason why your child may be struggling is because of math anxiety. Math anxiety is a real and increasingly recognized phenomenon. While math anxiety was once thought to be limited to a small number of children, we now know it can affect children of all ages and abilities.
Math anxiety has been linked to various problems, including lower test scores and a decreased ability to retain math concepts. While the exact cause of math anxiety is unknown, several theories exist. Some experts believe that a negative attitude towards math causes math anxiety. Others think it may be rooted in a lack of confidence or a fear of failure. Whatever the cause, math anxiety can be a real obstacle to learning. Fortunately, your child can learn to enjoy math again with patience and support.
Learning Disability
While there are many reasons why a child might struggle with math, one of the most common is a learning disability. Dyscalculia, also known as math or number dyslexia, is a learning disability that makes it difficult to understand and use math concepts. Symptoms of dyscalculia can include trouble memorizing math facts, difficulty understanding math vocabulary, and trouble solving math problems.
While there is no cure for dyscalculia, there are strategies that can help children with this condition to succeed in math. With proper support and instruction, children with dyscalculia can learn to overcome their challenges and build math skills.
How To Notice If Your Child Is Struggling
It can be challenging to notice if your child is struggling with math. They may hide it from you or pretend to understand concepts when they don’t know how to accomplish them. Here are a few signs that your child may be struggling with math:
– They often have trouble finishing their math homework.
– They avoid talking about math or say that they don’t like it.
– They seem overwhelmed when they are doing math.
– They make a lot of mistakes when they are doing math.
– They have trouble understanding concepts that are taught in class.
If you notice any of these signs, taking action is important. The sooner you take action, the easier it will be for your child to catch up and avoid falling behind.
Speak To Their Teacher
If you’re worried your child is struggling with math, the best thing to do is talk to their teacher. Teachers have a wealth of experience and knowledge about math instruction and can often provide helpful insights into how your child is doing. They can help you determine whether your child is truly struggling and, if so, how to best help them. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance; the sooner you do, the better chance your child has of succeeding in math. By working together, you and your child’s teacher can ensure that your child gets the help they need to be successful in math.
Go Back To The Basics
When children are first learning math, they must master the basics. This includes quickly recalling addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Once they have a solid understanding of the basic operations, they can move on to more complex concepts. However, if a child is struggling with math, it is often best to go back to the basics. By reviewing the basic operations, they can build a strong foundation that will make learning more complex math concepts easier.
From online math games to math apps and programs offered by Dropkick Math, there are plenty of ways to make learning math fun and engaging. Additionally, many resources are available to help children master math basics. With a little effort and patience, your child will be back on track in no time.
Small Changes
If your child is struggling with math, there are several tweaks you can make to your daily routine that may help. First, try setting aside 15 minutes each day for math practice. This short burst of focus will help your child stay on track and not feel overwhelmed by the subject. Second, make sure to do math early in the day, when your child’s mind is fresh and not as tired. Finally, allow your child to stand, lie on the floor, or use whatever method she finds helpful in order to stay focused on completion. Making these small changes can help your child overcome his math struggles and build confidence in the subject.
Adopt A Positive Attitude
A 2017 School Science and Mathematics study found that parents’ attitudes toward mathematics can significantly predict students’ attitudes toward mathematics. The study found that parents who believed math was important and felt confident in their math skills were more likely to have children with positive attitudes towards math. This means that if you want your child to have a positive attitude towards math, you may need to change your own attitude first!
So, if you want your child to excel in math, it is important to believe in their ability to do so and be confident in their own math skills. You can help your child develop a love for math with a little effort! Try doing things like talking about math in positive ways, helping them with their math homework, and encouraging them to persist when they find math challenging.
Get Help
At Dropkick math, we understand that math can be a difficult subject for some children. We offer specialized programs focusing on the four pillars of math to help your child reach their true potential. In our supportive environment, everyone has fun learning together. This allows your child to build confidence and develop a love for math.
