Meta: Does your kid get frustrated in math classes? Here’s how you can help them.

Math is probably the most notorious subject. Many kids don’t enjoy math classes, let alone doing any math homework. If you’re one of those parents who find their kids struggling withS math questions, this post is for you.

If your kid isn’t great at math, it doesn’t mean they aren't smart; they just need to engage with the subject to improve.

The role of the teacher can hugely impact a child's interest in the subject. If a teacher successfully sparks curiosity, the child can often take on the learning on their own and enjoy solving math problems.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common causes why kids generally struggle with math.

Let’s look at why your kid might find math particularly difficult.

They lack the necessary building blocks

As we know, math is a cumulative subject. This means that learning builds upon prior concepts. If your kid's basic concepts in the subject aren't clear, they'll most probably struggle with more advanced topics.

Most of the time, teachers quickly go over the basic concepts like multiplication, fractions, divisions, and factorization. In this scenario, most students may find it challenging to pick on these concepts.

Moreover, their lack of understanding of these necessary building blocks can restrict their learning abilities further. Every time they face a similar problem, they’ll get frustrated and lose interest.

Math anxiety is real

Since math problems are tricky and challenge your kid's mind, it can sometimes become stressful for them. When they get stuck on a simple problem while their classmates move on to the next problem, some kids might feel they're lagging behind.

Moreover, as a parent, it can be equally vexing for you to see your child struggle at school. If your kid has math anxiety, it’s about time you seriously find a permanent solution.

Here are a few signs that indicate your kid might have math-related anxiety:

• Physiological or other bodily effects such as clammy hands, nervousness, upset digestive system, lightheadedness, and rising heart rate
• Negative self-talk
• Low achievement
• Low response rate
• Intensified emotional responses
• Avoidance

As they grow up with unresolved math anxiety, children may carry it into their adult lives, affecting their relationships and professional lives.

Learning difficulties

Children with learning disabilities like dyscalculia or, as people commonly call it, 'number or math dyslexia' can face challenges while doing math problems.

According to a researcher in developmental neuroscience at Western University, Canada, children that have number dyslexia:

• May have difficulty memorizing mathematical facts
• May have difficulties with their working memory
• May struggle to apply basic mathematical operations and concepts
• May struggle to understand concepts or quantities like greater than or less than

Although the real cause of dyscalculia is still uncertain, researchers think that it’s deeply linked to the person’s neurological functions and brain structure. Since there can be many factors that can affect your brain’s structure, such as genes, environment, development, and injuries, the symptoms of dyscalculia may differ greatly from one person to another.

How can you help your kid with math

Start by identifying the underlying problem.

Most parents try to deal with the symptoms like lack of attention or general disinterest in the subject but may totally ignore the underlying reasons for these symptoms.

Other than identifying the core issues, you can try these tips to keep your kid engaged in math.

Try to make it fun

For many children, all you have to do is shift their perspective on math. From a boring equation-solving subject to something they actually find useful and practical. Try to engage your children through mathematical board games, math applications on smart tablets, or engaging stories with word problems.

Find real-life applications

It's easy to find a lot of real-life math applications. The child learns basic mathematical functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions at the primary level. You can teach these concepts at a dinner table or while you’re shopping with them in the grocery store.

For example, you can teach fractions by dividing the pizza into equal parts or sharing the pie among the siblings. Or you can ask them to add the items to the grocery list. This will make them realize that math doesn't exist only in their textbooks, but it surrounds them and comes in handy in everyday tasks.

Try to practice math problems with your kid every day

We know it sounds impossible to sit with your child for an hour every day and help them with their homework. But once you make time for them and see how happy and engaged they’re when you work with them, you’ll take pride in it.

Involvement in your kid’s homework can improve their social skills, boost their self-esteem, and foster their academic achievement.

Find a math tutor for your kid

Although sitting with your kid and helping them solve problems is ideal, every parent can’t do simply because they’re either too busy or haven't been in touch with math for a long time.

For such cases, it's ideal to find a suitable tutor for your kid who can focus on their foundational learning and help them excel at basic concepts. Once they gain the basic knowledge, you'll notice an immediate improvement in their problem-solving qualities and comprehension skills. Moreover, a trained tutor is skilled and employs different pedagogical strategies to keep your kid engaged and motivated.

If you’re worried about your kid’s performance in math classes, Bayise can help you. It is one of the best online tutoring platforms that can help your kid excel at math and other subjects. In addition, we offer assignment help and online tuition for students struggling in their academic life.

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