How to tell if your child is struggling with maths
According to a new survey commissioned by National Numeracy*, though the majority of us feel we are good at maths, we are typically overestimating our skills. Though nearly half (45%) of those surveyed rated their numeracy as good, they scored less than three out of five on the numeracy test, coming in at Primary school levels for maths.
The problem is when it comes to maths, it's easy to overestimate what you can do, and it's one of the reasons why it's not always easy to tell if your child is struggling with the subject.
While there are obvious signs, like low marks and teacher feedback, here are the other signs to look out for that show your child may be struggling with the subject.
Your child has difficulty understanding basic math concepts
This could include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in real-world scenarios. A strong foundation in basic math skills is important because kids with a strong foundation in mathematical basics are more likely to be successful the more advanced maths becomes.
Help your child by going back to basics in everyday scenarios and providing plenty of opportunities for them to practice their basic math skills.
Help by explaining math concepts clearly and concisely, and use resources such as BBC Bitesize, Maths-Whizz and Khan Academy.
Your child has a negative attitude towards maths
Many children, even those good at maths, have negative attitudes towards the subject because it's challenging. Unlike other subjects, the abstract nature of mathematical concepts, the need for precision and accuracy, and the fact that maths continually builds on previous knowledge make the subject hard work even for those who excel in the subject.
Another reason kids can feel opposed to maths is that maths is not seen as relevant to everyday life. Many children don't know how math relates to their lives outside of school. This can make it challenging to stay motivated when the work gets hard.
What can help here is to show them how maths is used in everyday life, from working out finances to travelling to cooking and even decorating your house. Alongside this, explain how maths is used to design a multitude of things, from computer programmes to video games, bridges and buildings
They get anxious and upset about maths
Math anxiety is a step further from simply disliking maths. It's a type of anxiety that is specifically related to the subject and can cause children to feel stressed, worried, or even panicked when they have to do maths. It can also negatively impact a child's academic performance and lead to avoidance of math-related activities.
Several factors can contribute to math anxiety in children. These include negative experiences with math in the past, such as getting a bad grade on a math test or being unable to keep up with the rest of the class. But a family history of math anxiety can also be a part of it. Children with parents or other family members with math anxiety or who feel they are bad at maths are more likely to develop math anxiety.
What can help with maths anxiety is to work with a specialist maths tutor. Not only can they create a bespoke teaching method for your child's needs, but they can work on confidence and understanding. This helps because a positive learning environment is key to maths anxiety, as is praising your child's efforts, not just their results.
Finally, work on promoting a willingness to ask for help. Kids who are willing to ask for help when they need it are more likely to be successful in math.