Is Your Child Struggling in Maths?

If you’re wondering how your child is doing in maths, you can start by asking them directly. This lets them know that their maths progress is important to you, and it may begin a conversation that they didn’t know how to start. But even if they’re willing to have that talk, they may not be totally transparent about how they’re doing in the classroom, especially if they’re feeling frustrated, lost, or overwhelmed by maths. Knowing the signs to look out for will allow you to get them the maths help they need.

1. Negative comments about maths

It’s not uncommon for a child to say that they don’t like a certain subject. But if you’re hearing your child say repeatedly that they hate maths or that maths is boring, they probably have not been learning it in a way that makes sense to them. Many children will even decide from a very young age that they just aren’t good at maths. But people aren’t wired to be “good” or “bad” at maths; some just haven’t learned it the right way. Enrolling them in a maths-learning programme outside school could be what they need to achieve success and gain confidence.

2. Teacher showing concern

If your child is having difficulty understanding certain concepts or applying them correctly, or if their grades are consistently low, their teacher may alert you. Take advantage of the fact that your child’s success is important to the teacher. You can work together to determine what steps are necessary to turn things around. The sooner you get help for your child, the sooner they’ll be able to catch up.

3. Difficulty with concepts from earlier years

Because maths concepts build upon each other, anything that a child failed to learn or skipped over will continue to be problematic as new material is presented. At first, a child may get away with moving through maths concepts without understanding all the material, but as concepts become more difficult, the gaps in their learning will become evident.

4. Maths progress lower than in other subjects

If your child is normally a high performer and they’re doing well in every subject but maths, it’s a clear sign that they’re struggling. They may be avoiding the one subject that’s giving them a hard time — maths — and putting all their focus on the subjects in which they know they’ll do well.

5. Anxiety around maths

Sometimes a child may not outwardly express negative feelings about maths, but their discomfort can show through in other ways. If your child grows anxious or upset when asked to solve maths problems, whether it be in school or at home, they’re letting it be known that they’re not confident with their maths knowledge. Even if what is being taught makes sense to them at first, they may feel lost when it comes to practical application.

The good news is that once you’ve recognised your child is struggling, you can get them the help they need. For instruction that targets their specific issues, consider going beyond hiring a maths tutor and enrolling your child in a maths-learning programme with a history of setting children on the right path towards academic success.

Mathnasium Learning Centres start students off with an individual assessment which pinpoints a child’s exact strengths and weaknesses. A customised learning plan is then created, detailing the specific maths concepts the child needs to catch up, keep up, and even get ahead. Attentive, highly trained instructors teach students face-to-face at a pace that’s right for them. And both in-centre and online learning is available.

Once a child develops confidence in their knowledge of the concepts, they have the potential to enjoy tremendous success in maths. By responding to your child’s need for help, you’re opening doors to higher achievement and helping them reach their full potential.