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Children will always have obstacles to overcome in their life. One obstacle that many children face is struggling with academics, especially mathematics. However, it can be difficult for parents to know if their child is actually struggling or just having a hard time with math, so this blog post will help you determine whether or not your child needs more help with this subject. Below are some signs of when your child may be struggling.
Not Meeting Major Milestones
Your child may not be meeting major milestones such as counting to 100 by the end of Kindergarten. If this is the case, they may be struggling with mathematics.
Difficulty In Recalling Basic Math Concepts and Facts
If your child has difficulty remembering math facts such as their multiplication tables, then they may be struggling with mathematics. You can help here by hiring Maths tutors to take them through the topic once more and revise with them.
Trouble Managing Time
Another sign is if your child has trouble managing time. You can help manage their time by having them do math homework in small intervals of 15 minutes, so they don’t have to sit for more than a half-hour at a time and get frustrated.
Saying They Hate Math
Children tend to be vocal about their feelings, and if your child says they hate math, they may be struggling with mathematics. You can help by making them feel more confident in the subject and giving praise when they do well on assignments!
Lack of Interest
If your child is not interested in math, it can signify either boredom or frustration with the subject. They may delay or postpone doing their Math homework, so be keen for these signs.
How do you help them then?
Practice With Them Every Night
As a parent, you can set time to practice some math problems with them every night. This will not only help them to clear up their knowledge but also boost your math skills!
Be Positive
Math can be a challenging subject. It requires patience and determination to achieve success, so make sure you don’t discourage them by telling them they’re not good enough or that Math is too hard for them.
Make It Fun
If your child is struggling to follow a math lesson, try switching the focus of what you’re teaching. For example, if they have difficulty understanding long division but excel in geometry, show them some examples of how these two subjects can work together.
Explain Everything
It helps children when their parents or teachers can explain why certain things happen in a certain way. This can apply to any subject, but it is especially helpful for math because children will be more likely to remember the reasons behind different concepts when they understand them better.
Encourage Exploration
Give your child space to explore the math problems independently rather than just answering them right away. This will foster their interests and curiosity in the subject.
Give Clear Instructions
Solving math problems requires a process that may not be as intuitive. In addition, it can be frustrating for children if they don’t know what to do next, so make sure you provide clear instructions on how to solve the problem.
Make It a Family Affair
Sometimes parents or teachers need some help too! If your child is struggling with math and you’re not sure how to help, consider enlisting the aid of their grandparents or other older family members.
Include Them in the Process
Rather than telling your child what to do, allow them to be part of the decision-making process and introduce mathematics as something they can enjoy rather than a task. If you give importance to their opinion on how to better teach them math, it will encourage interest and boost their skills.
Help Them With Their Math Homework
If your child is struggling with a subject, it can be helpful for them to have someone else review their work. This doesn’t mean you should do all the Math homework for them; rather, when they come across something complex or confusing, offer assistance and check over their answers.
Praise Good Ideas Without Critiquing
Even if a child doesn’t have the correct answer, if they come up with an original and clever idea, then praise them for it. Math can be frustrating when trying to figure out how to solve problems in your head without any help, so make sure you reward their minimal efforts.
Show Them There Is No Such Thing As ‘Good’ at Math
It is essential to remind your child that there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ answers in Math. They may not be getting the answer right because they’re doing it wrong, but often children will come up with a good solution if you give them confidence and time to explore different ways of solving problems on their own.
Encourage Them To Set Achievable Goals
The most important thing as a parent is to encourage your child and let them know there’s no such thing as impossible. This will give the feeling of accomplishment when they achieve their goal, which boosts confidence in themselves.
Encourage Discussion With Peers
When learning how to solve math problems, it can be helpful for children if they have someone to discuss the problem with. Sometimes when your kid is working on their own, it can be challenging to come up with solutions. However, by talking through different ways of solving the problems, they will find an answer that satisfies them.
Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle
Including various activities, such as playing outside or doing crafts, can help children stay mentally and physically engaged. Also, incorporate a healthy lifestyle with nutritious foods and habits like sleep patterns.
This way, they will be less likely to turn their attention elsewhere and give up on math altogether.
Buy Textbooks
If you’re looking for a way to make math homework more engaging, consider getting textbooks and other resources that use different teaching methods, such as videos or online programs.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is essential to remember that a child’s attitude towards math does not necessarily indicate their inability. However, it can be challenging for them if they are struggling with Math, so keep these tips in mind when trying to help.
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