Six signs that your child is struggling with math

Recognize the signs that your child is struggling with math. Kids don't like to feel dumb so they are not likely to speak up if there is a problem.

School is back in full swing, new math ideas are coming at students every day. Math builds from one concept to the next, so falling behind becomes worse as the year rolls on.

So, if a child is having a hard time keeping up in math, it’s important to act quickly. Fortunately, there are many tell-tale signs that a child is falling behind—parents simply need to know what to look for.

When kids get stuck on a math idea, they aren’t likely to speak up. They’ll often just sit there, fall behind, and then become frustrated with their homework and classwork. Eventually, they can simply give up. Clearly, it’s important that parents address this problem early on so they can take the necessary steps to get their children back on track. The first step is recognizing that a problem exists.

Below are six signs that suggest a child is struggling with math.

1. Math grades lag, but student has good grades in other subjects.
2. Low confidence in math, and hearing comments like: “I’m no good at math.” "It's too hard!"
3. Weak in foundational skills. Addition/subtraction should be mastered by end of 2nd or 3rd grade, multiplication and division by the end of 3rd—4th grade, fluency with fractions at the end of 5th—6th grade.
4. Physical signs like finger counting show poor retention of number facts.
5. Concerned comments from your child’s teacher about “not working up to their potential.”
6. Child seems “frustrated” with math.

If a child shows any these signs, there are several things parents can do. Seeking help from the student’s teacher is an obvious first choice. Offering to help the child more closely with homework is another. Enrolling in an after-school math program like Mathnasium is another option that brings professional help to the situation.

About Mathnasium

Mathnasium Learning Centers, the nation’s leading math learning center with over 800 locations. We specializes in teaching kids math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and become advanced in math. All Kids begin with a Free Math Skills Assessment to see exactly where to begin. Next the work with a Math specialist to realize their full potential and truly excel. All students are taught using the proprietary Mathnasium Method™, which is the result of 40+ years of hands-on instruction and research.

Next Visit our Teaching Method Page or Promotions Page