Get Math Help: Understanding Why Kids Struggle with Math

Since 2020, kids have had a tougher time than ever with school subjects—and especially with math, an already notoriously difficult subject. If your learner is having a hard time with this subject, what sort of math help would make a difference?

A lot of people struggle with math, including adults. In fact, one study suggests that only 9% of Americans between 16 to 65 have proficient math skills. But math doesn’t have to be a difficult or frustrating subject. When young learners develop a crucial understanding of math early on, it can help them approach mathematical problems with confidence as they grow older.

For older students, it isn’t too late, either. With practice and skill-building, as well as effective math help, teens and adults can also tackle math more easily.

Let’s take a look at some of the challenges involved with math—and what type of math help makes sense for your learner.

Identifying the Need for Math Help  

Common Challenges for Kids Who Struggle

Math isn’t an innate skill. Instead, it’s one that’s developed through regular learning and skill-building. For kids who need math help, it’s not always because they’re dealing with the same challenges. Here are a few common reasons young learners struggle with the subject:  

• Math requires progressive learning.
  It’s hard to read a paragraph when you’re still learning the alphabet. Similarly, math works on progression—once kids learn their numbers, only then can they learn to add and subtract effectively, and so on. If kids lack any foundational knowledge, math becomes that much more challenging. 

• Math requires attention.
  With math, it’s important to pay close attention to the details, like whether an equation includes a division sign or a subtraction sign. It’s easy to get bogged down with the wrong answers when a student isn’t paying attention. This can be compounded by cognitive differences, like ADHD, or by math anxiety. 

• Math draws on other subjects.
  For kids who struggle with reading and literacy, math can be that much more challenging. That’s because math often requires reading through a written problem, analyzing the key details, and extracting data to find the answer. It’s just another difficulty for learners to navigate. 

About Math Help and Cognitive Differences

Cognitive differences like dyscalculia and ADHD can also play a significant role in challenges with math. Understanding what kind of math help will benefit a learner means understanding how they’re struggling.

Here are a few ways that cognitive differences can create an obstacle to math learning:

• Spatial reasoning.
  Students who have trouble with geographical directions, shapes, or quantities will be at a disadvantage when it comes to math. This can be a common feature of ADHD, dyscalculia, and other cognitive differences.
  
• Trouble with multi-tasking.
  Often, math requires multiple steps to get to a solution. This can be tough for students who have organizational challenges, lack executive function skills, or otherwise can’t multi-task easily. 

• Difficulty with recall.
  Solving math problems means drawing on existing math knowledge, like recalling math formulas and other processes. For those who have trouble with memory or recall, this can be an added obstacle.

One-on-One Brain Training for Math Skills

At LearningRx, we personalize our approach based on each learner’s unique abilities and struggles. With our math help programs, we offer one-on-one support to kids, teens, and adults, working on foundational concepts that unlock new math skills.

Guided by a dedicated brain trainer, students work through drills and games, tackling progressively more challenging exercises as they go. As they advance through their personalized program, they can unlock new skills, abilities, and confidence related to math.

Students of all ages have found success with LearningRx! Through dedicated brain training, we help learners discover their unique math potential.  

Explore one-on-one math help for your learner through brain training. Find your local LearningRx online, or contact us at 866-BRAIN-01 to discuss your student’s needs.