No other subject could inspire fear like mathematics. Yes, students face a new set of hurdles in learning each school year, but the challenges in learning math prove to be the most difficult to master. As a result, it's quite common to hear children say that math is their weakest subject, and all too often, parents can just gloss over that fact. What they might take as difficulty in learning, however, may just be a simple matter of lacking confidence at school.

Most of a students' struggle with math stems from lack of foundation in the basic concepts and number sense. Without the right skills, it's understandable that children might experience anxiety at the thought of schoolwork. What parents need to do to address the problem is help their young learners gain confidence with the assistance of a skilled tutor.

Take a New Approach

Like with solving math problems, there are many different ways to arrive at the correct answer. Some methods will work for some, but not for others, and this might cause students to doubt their own skills. This is why it's important to assess the child's abilities first before moving forward. Specially trained tutors will recommend creating a customized learning plan so that the child can absorb knowledge at their own pace.

Go Back to Basics

There might have been gaps in your child's knowledge that haven't properly been filled in the traditional classroom setting. Since a bad foundation is the likely cause of learning struggles, it only makes sense to build good ones. Starting with simple math concepts and going forth from there is a great way to do this. As he or she progresses, the child becomes more confident, and as their understanding of complex concepts grow, they begin to have a positive outlook about math.

Try to Make Math Fun

Crunching numbers and solving equations can become a fun activity given the right context. The good thing is it's not difficult to make learning math feel like you're playing a game because it is specifically designed like that. Teachers just need to think outside the box to make learning feel less like a chore. It could be as simple as pointing out how math applies to everyday life or playing games like blackjack to flex those problem solving muscles. To make it seem like a real game, parents can also offer their children incentives or prizes for a job well done.

Difficulty in learning math can be overcome by building up a child's confidence in his own skills and reinforcing basic concepts. If you are in need of professional help from experienced math tutors, look for reputable math learning centers like Mathnasium of Oak Ridges.

Sources:

Why We're Bad at Math: It's a Confidence Thing, EducationPost.org
3 Tips to Building Math Confidence in Your Child, HuffingtonPost.com