One of the most common complaints among children who dislike math is it’s too difficult or that they are not smart enough. This belief can severely impact any child’s success in math and in life.
First let’s understand – Why children struggle with math
Here are 3 reasons. Kids:
1.Lack building blocks
Math-learning is a cumulative learning process. If a child falls behind in one area due to a lack of understanding, moving to advanced topics will be a challenge.
2.Deal with math anxiety
Kids can feel anxious when they deal with math. Symptoms of math anxiety can include:
- Avoidance
- Lack of response
- Low achievement
- Negative self-talk
- Feeling of permanency
- Intense emotional reactions
- Physiological effects like nervousness, clammy hands, increased heart rate, upset stomach and lightheadedness
Sadly this anxiety can last from childhood all the way into adulthood.
3. Have learning difficulties
Some kids have learning difficulties in math. Here are some signs. Kids:
- Have trouble remembering math facts
- May understand the logic behind math facts, but not how or when to apply their knowledge to solve problems
- May not understand quantities or concepts like biggest versus smallest, or the difference between the word five and numeral 5
There are numerous mathematics learning disabilities, including one of the more common ones: dyscalculia. Other names for it include math or number dyslexia.
Now let’s understand the signs which show a child is struggling with math
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1.Express negative comments about math
Kids say “I hate math” or “Im not good at math”and try to avoid math related activities
2. Get anxious around math
Kids skip math homework and assignments.Even when they know the concept, they forget the concept fast during exams or tests
3.Get lower grades in math than other subjects.
Lower math grades may lead them to focus on subjects they’re already succeeding in, and spend little time practicing or studying math.
4. Face trouble connecting math topics.
As students study more math, they should be able to connect topics.For example addition and subtraction are connected. If the kids don’t see that 2+3=5 and 5-3=2 are the same, then that’s a sign
5. Find it tough to apply math concepts to real-world problems
Kids are not able to apply math in real world situations.
For example
- counting the number of days till their birthday
- calculating the cost of something and how much change they should get back
6. Can’t do mental calculations
During early years working out math problems with fingers is fine, but as kids reached grade 6, if they still count with fingers then that’s a sign.
7. Don’t try to find alternative approaches to problems
When a roadblock arises when tackling a math problem, kids get discouraged. They give up. They don’t try another approach.
8. Find it tough to understand and to recall basic math concepts and facts
Kids cant recall math concepts which they learnt few months back.
9. Find it cumbersome to learn advanced math concepts and facts
Due to mathematics’ cumulative nature, making connections between prior and new lessons is key.
Having difficulty when building upon earlier math concepts will limit a child’s ability to anchor new math skills in a meaningful, long-lasting way.
10. Face difficulty in paying attention
If kids gets fidgety, loses their place in a problem, or seems mentally tired when doing math, they may be struggling with math.
How to help a child struggling with math :
As a parent, one of your biggest goals is to help your child succeed. It’s important to remember, however, that the first step to solving a problem is identifying it.
Having awareness of the signs above will help you identify any problems your child may be experiencing with math.
Few suggestions
1. Make math fun
Kids loves games and puzzles. So lets them solve math puzzles before moving on to school syllabus.
2. Practice with your kids daily
More than sitting beside your child while they do homework and ensuring they complete it ,try doing the sum with kid. Spend a minimum of 30mins daily
3.Adopt a positive attitude
While children can have negative attitudes toward math, parents attitude toward the subject may need to change first. A recent study found that parents’ attitude toward mathematics can significantly predict students’ attitudes toward mathematics.
“Most of the time, the negative attitude is simply because the students have told themselves they cannot do mathematics; they are never going to use it anyways; and so forth. School-based factors are compounded when they are reinforced at home, such as parents’ negative attitudes toward mathematics.”
Parental involvement fosters academic achievement, improves social skills, and can increase self-esteem.
4.Get a tutor
Some parents have been out of school for a long time and are unfamiliar with certain teaching strategies. So hiring a tutor is the best solution. You can opt for a in-person tutor or an online tutor with considerable experience teaching math
Please keep in mind a person who solves math questions may not be able to teach another person math. A tutor will change the teaching style to suit the learner.
5.Look into potential learning disabilities
If a child does have a learning disability, the sooner parents seek help the better!
It can be challenging to address and diagnose but, in the long run, receiving prompt and appropriate support can help ensure the best educational journey possible for the child.
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