Math can be a very tricky subject to get a hold of whether you’re in elementary school or high school. Some students are born with an innate ability to demonstrate a strong understanding of mathematics, while others struggle to grasp concepts that hinder their learning progress. Many students that fail to address problems with mathematics often find themselves struggling to reach expectations in later grades. Identify problematic signs your child is experiencing and help them find the necessary resources if they are having a difficult time with math:

Not Meeting Grade Median

Each student possesses a unique learning ability, meaning not every student will comprehend information on the same learning curve. Patience is practiced with students that fall behind the rest of their classmates in hopes that they will eventually catch up. For students that tend to consistently trail far behind the rest of the class in terms of their grades, they may require a more detail-oriented learning plan which may include supplementary math coaching.

Trouble Remembering Basic Concepts

A common sign that your child may be experiencing difficulty with mathematics is that they have a hard time remembering math concepts that have been taught in the past. For many students that have learned basic concepts in past grades (i.e. long division & long multiplication), they will have a quick recovery time in re-learning these concepts. Students that struggle with mathematics may demonstrate difficulty in adapting to old concepts and require advanced teaching regiment to brush up on previously taught math practices,

Lower Grades Than Other Subjects

Displaying an inability to excel in math subjects doesn’t necessarily mean that these students are inept in other subjects, in fact, they most likely do very well in other areas at school. Pay attention to your child’s report cards and compare their math grades to other subjects. A drastic difference between math and other subjects could indicate that your child is learning at a  normal rate while experiencing a difficult time with mathematics.

Vocal Displeasure

Listening to your children and asking them for their honest opinions about school and the subjects they are taking can provide terrific insight into their learning ability. Kids that struggle in math courses, will often tell you that they don’t like math class and or that they feel scared to take a math test.

What Parents Can Do To Help

Parents can help their children by:

• Practice math techniques every night
• Make math enjoyable (play math games)
• Be supportive
• Help them connect real-life scenarios to math problems they’re learning
• Enlist the assistance of a math specialist.

Everyone learns at their own pace and speed and preaching patience and acceptance establishes a culture in which your child is safe to learn, grow and make mistakes. Math is undoubtedly a difficult subject to master, but learning and comprehending it can make a truly positive impact in your child’s life and their future. Do all you can to help your child understand math so that they look forward to learning.