Key Cognitive Skills Needed for Math Success
Mathematics is a foundational discipline that influences many aspects of our daily lives, from simple transactions to complex engineering. Yet, for many, it remains a challenge. One reason is that math is not just about computation; it requires a host of cognitive skills working together to become natural. In this blog, we’ll explore the key cognitive skills needed for math success, how to identify which skills are behind an individual’s struggles, and ways to target and strengthen these areas.
Logic & Reasoning
At its core, math is about problem-solving. This requires logical thinking and reasoning skills. A solid understanding of how to use logic to evaluate and solve problems is critical. Beyond more simple reasoning abilities, math also requires you to think critically, evaluate when something isn’t working, and be cognitively flexible enough to pivot and find the correct solution. Individuals with weak logic and reasoning may:
- Constantly ask “what do I do next?”
- Struggle to know when to apply key concepts and different strategies
- Have trouble with word problems and math concepts beyond basic computation
- Not be able to see where they made an error
This skill can be improved through practice and engaging in puzzles, games, and activities that require logical reasoning. Here’s a roundup of a few fun games that build logic skills >>
Recall Fluency & Long-Term Memory
Memory plays a significant role in math, especially when it comes to retaining and recalling mathematical concepts, formulas, facts, and procedures. The ability to retrieve information quickly and accurately from long-term memory is crucial for success in math, and weaknesses in this area can lead to:
- Slow work
- Having to use fingers for basic computation
- Needing information re-taught several times
- Struggling with multi-step problems that draw on several concepts
When students have weaknesses in this area, reteaching and tutoring may be helpful in the moment, but without targeted intervention to strengthen this skill, they will likely continue to struggle.
Processing Speed
Mathematics often requires quick calculations and mental processing of information. Processing speed, the rate at which an individual can take in information, process it, and respond, is an essential skill for math success. If students have slow processing speed, they may:
- Work slowly
- Take a long time to get through math homework
- Have a lot of frustration and a low tolerance for anything that takes longer
- Struggle to keep up in math class with notes, complex problems, or even basic instructions
Strategies to improve processing speed include mental math exercises, timed problem-solving drills, and strategies that encourage rapid decision-making. Read more: 5 Ways Slow Processing Speed Impacts Learning >>
Visual Processing
A significant portion of math involves manipulating and interpreting visual information, such as graphs, charts, and diagrams. This requires good visual processing skills, including spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and the ability to mentally manipulate visual representations of mathematical concepts.
Students who struggle with visual processing often have difficulties in mathematical subjects like geometry, but they can also struggle because they have to work hard to envision numerical values as more than just abstract symbols. For example, when a student sees 4+5, they may just see numbers. Strong visual processing allows students to see these numbers as values (4 objects + 5 objects), which is critical for mastering more complex math concepts.
Activities that involve visual puzzles, drawing, and envisioning information can enhance visual processing abilities. Here’s a roundup of some games and activities to target this skill >>
Working Memory
Working memory refers to the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind over short periods. It is crucial for solving multi-step problems and performing everything from simple to complex calculations in math. Students with weak working memory may:
- Frequently forget what they’re supposed to be doing
- Making “careless” errors (that are really just faults in memory, not in being lazy)
- Struggle with multi-step problems where they have to hold lots of pieces of information at once
- Struggle with mental math
Working memory deficits often look a lot like attention problems as well. If your child seems distracted or disengaged, it’s worth digging deeper to figure out what the real root cause of the struggle may be.
Read More: Games That Strengthen Working Memory >>
Attention
Finally, attention is critical for math success. Distractions can hinder the ability to focus on the task at hand, leading to errors and misunderstandings. Attention is the front line cognitive skill of all learning and processing: in order to take in information, you have to be paying attention to it. Rather than just dismissing a lack of attention as a “phase” or as “just the way they are,” it’s helpful to realize that it’s a skill that can be trained!
Read more: Brain Training to Improve Focus >>
Solutions for Math Success at Any Age
The cognitive skills outlined above are just a sampling of some of the ways cognition impacts math success. Every brain is unique, and no two math struggles originate in exactly the same place. This is why it’s critical to dig deeper and identify an individual’s unique set of cognitive strengths and weaknesses to put the pieces together and create an intervention that will target what they need.
At LearningRx, we approach math struggles in a different way than a math tutor would. Instead of just reteaching content, we look deeper at these skills to figure out why a student struggled to grasp the material in the first place. By targeting these skills and strengthening them, we help our clients lay a solid foundation to succeed in math (and other areas of learning, as well)!
