How to Help When Your Child is Failing Math

Apr 15, 2018 | Littleton

Do you do a lot to help your child succeed, but feel helpless when it comes to math? You worry, knowing that failing math will affect their future, possibly their whole life. There is a high correlation between math achievement and lifetime earnings.

What can you do if your child is failing math?

Students struggle with math for many reasons. Confidence, problems focusing, learning disabilities, poor study skills, and discipline all play a role in your child’s success in math class. To identify why your child is struggling read, “Symptoms of 9 Common Math Problems and their Root Causes.” After you have identified the problem, make a plan to help your child succeed. Your plan should include these steps.

Communicate with the Teacher

Schedule a conversation with your child’s math teacher for insight about why your child is struggling. Talk about what interventions your child gets in school and how you can support them at home. Check in frequently with the teacher to make sure your child is improving. Remember to be patient and encouraging. Changing habits and improving skills and attitudes takes time.

Schedule Time for Studying and Homework

Set aside a specific time each night for math homework and studying. This time should be free of distractions, including cell phones.  Make sure your child takes the time to check their answers. They should review their notes even if no homework is due to help them remember information and deepen their understanding of concepts. You can find more helpful study habits here. https://www.educationcorner.com/habits-of-successful-students.html

Set Specific Goals and Expectations

Have an honest, non-confrontational conversation with your child. Offer support and avoid blaming or chastising. Explain that success in math class is important to you because it will improve their future.

Help your child set goals for improving in math, like studying for one hour each day. Starting with small goals will build to bigger milestones and result in better grades. If your child seems unmotivated to improve in math, they probably feel insecure about their ability to learn.

If motivation is a concern in all aspects of their life, consult with the school counselor for suggestions. Sometimes, success in math leads to success in other areas of life, too. 

Reward hard work!

Consider Tutoring and Targeted Instruction

Children struggling to understand math probably have math gaps. Some students are years behind grade level and feel as if they are drowning in math class. That feeling is incredibly stressful. Focused instruction at Mathnasium of Littleton will help your child reach grade level and dramatically improve their confidence and motivation.  Our assessments will find concepts and skills your child is struggling with and we will design a targeted learning plan to help your child succeed.

High School is a Critical Time

High school work is more challenging, and many students feel the pressure of college and adult life looming over them. The stress sometimes causes their grades to drop and they lose confidence. The earlier you get help for your child the better. If your child is already in high school, get help for them immediately. Summer is the perfect time to try Mathnasium because kids have time to gain skills and confidence before the new school year.

Schedule a no-obligation assessment today. 303-979-9077 and find out what's going on with your child! Or use the button below to get more information.

Other articles you may want to read to help your child succeed:

Learn How Mathnasium Can Help Your Child

 

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