For some kids, math can be challenging, and it can take a lot from them to solve a basic math problem. Meanwhile, other kids of the same grade don’t face a struggle to do math problems. Many parents who have kids lagging in their math class feel concerned and want to figure out why their kid is not doing well in math.
This does not mean that the child who is struggling in math is not smart. They are just as academically apt as the rest of their peers but may need more practice, time, and better instruction to develop their math skills.
Understanding the Basic Concepts
Many children who struggle with math problems do so because their math foundation is not strong to begin with. They do not understand many basic concepts that children of a certain age are expected to understand.
They may not be able to tell the difference between “more” vs. “less,” “greater” vs. “lesser,” etc. They might lack number sense, which is the ability to understand the basic concepts of math.
When children don’t understand math’s basic concepts, they are bound to face difficulty when trying to solve problems that demand a basic understanding of the concepts. A lot of online courses can help children understand basic math problems.
Anxiety While Studying
It is not unusual for many parents to see their kids throwing a tantrum in the name of math. Many kids may not find math to be difficult but still might want to run away from it. Crying and not wanting to go to school or even crying before an exam is all a sign of math anxiety that parents need to be cautious of.
This stress will often get in the way of them studying math. This will eventually get them to face difficulty learning new concepts that will hinder them from studying effectively.
Dyscalculia
After taking all the measures to ensure that your child is learning math effectively, yet they are still showing minimal progress at developing basic math skills, chances are the child has dyscalculia.
Dyscalculia is the same as dyslexia, except the child faces immense difficulty in math. Experts say dyscalculia is very common, and there are certain signs to look out for to determine if your kid has dyscalculia.
Having dyscalculia does not mean that your child will never be able to solve math problems. With help, your child can up their math game in no time.
Concluding Thoughts
Many children who face difficulty performing math problems can assist their teachers and parents and grow into successful high school students who get excellent grades.
