It’s very common for students to struggle with math. It’s a highly conceptual subject that requires a depth of thinking and understanding that students need to develop over time and some brains will take longer to get there than others, that’s just simply how it works. Math is also a subject where ideas are built upon themselves so learning is scaffolded. If a student doesn’t thoroughly understand a prior concept, their foundation of knowledge will be weak and they won’t excel at future ideas that are based on the knowledge they are missing. The traditional school system means that teachers are often teaching upwards of 20-30 students and cannot reasonably determine if every student knows everything they need to. Some of it just slips through the cracks. This is why math tutors are such an important resource for kids.
Here are the top 10 reasons why a student might be struggling with math:
- Their minds do not naturally function with the type of thinking required to understand math concepts. Some kids who are more dominant right brain thinkers may have a harder time absorbing many math concepts simply because of how their brain processes information.
- They are not being taught the concepts in a way that appeals to their learning style. Math tutors adapt to each child’s individual needs, which makes them much more successful.
- They are simply not interested in math, therefore they do not give it the thought space or effort necessary to excel.
- They may have a learning disability that affects their ability to process equations and certain mathematical concepts.
- They may need more time with a concept. Teachers have to move on at the median pace of the class. If a student is not yet comfortable with the concept and the teacher moves on, they are on their own to figure it out. This is another area that math tutors are so helpful. They work with a student for as long as it takes for them to thoroughly understand each topic.
- They may need to try different tactics such as manipulatives or computer simulations that allow them to see concepts come to life in a more dynamic format.
- They may need to have things explained to them in a few different ways. Sometimes the teaching style their teacher uses doesn’t appeal to how they best understand things. Math tutors use learning style to determine the most likely way a child will understand a concept.
- They may need to experience math in real life to understand its value. Think baking, grocery shopping, building a project and many more ways that math can be applied in real life.
- Sometimes a negative mindset can develop that holds your child back from becoming good at math., By telling themselves they hate math or will never be good at it, they literally never will be.
- Sometimes a child may feel under pressure from their parents or peers to achieve a certain outcome in math and that can cause them to fail. Be sure to give your child space to have some concepts they do well on and others they don’t. And make sure they know they can always ask you for help.