How Math and Reading Skills Are Interrelated

Would it surprise you to learn that math skills and reading skills are deeply related to each other? That means, when a learner struggles in one subject, they may also experience challenges in the other. It also means that, if a learner needs math help, they may find that reading help benefits them as well!

We often think of math and reading as completely different regions of learning. Often, math is grouped with science, while reading is frequently associated with language and arts. In reality, the boundaries may be far less rigid than you realize! Just as there’s a relation between math and music, there’s a correlation between math challenges and reading challenges.

Let’s look at these findings in a bit more detail, and explore what that might mean for your learner. 

How Math and Reading Are Related

Identifying Connections Between Reading and Math

Our understanding of the human brain is deepening all the time. New studies in literacy and math, enhanced by brain imaging and other technology, give us a clearer picture of how math and reading skills are related. Here are just a few ways that they can interact with each other:

• Reading comprehension.
  Understanding ideas in math textbooks, as well as analyzing written math problems, often requires reading comprehension. Students must read the information and analyze what’s relevant—which requires good reading skills.
  
• Conceptual understanding.
  Math doesn’t just require an aptitude for numbers. Even at an early age, learners must start to learn the complex concepts and ideas that underpin math. This kind of deeper understanding is necessary for math and reading alike.
  
• Applying knowledge.
  Both math and reading require retaining information, then applying it when relevant. Whether it’s remembering story details or retaining math concepts, both subjects require strong long-term and working memory skills.

In short, if you’re considering math help for your learner—or reading help—it may be worthwhile to consider getting support in both subjects!

Exploring Your Options for Math Help and Reading Help

No student should have to face learning challenges on their own. The good news is, through different types of academic support—including brain training or tutoring—they can get the reading or math help they need to thrive.

Not sure if brain training or tutoring is the right type of support? Let’s take a look at when each form of assistance might benefit your learner:

• They typically excel in school.
  If your child usually excels in school but is facing some temporary challenges, tutoring may be useful. However, it may not be as beneficial for those students who frequently have difficulty in the classroom.
  
• They need reading and math help.
  If your learner is struggling across a few different subjects—needing math help and other support—brain training may be a better fit. That’s because we help to work on those underlying skills, like memory skills and comprehension, that relate to all aspects of learning.

• They’re dealing with a cognitive difference.
  Similarly, if your student has a cognitive difference, like dyslexia or ADHD, it may be worth exploring brain training. With a neurodiversity-focused approach, we help students succeed on their own terms!

How Brain Training Provides Math Help and Reading Help

Unlike tutoring, which replicates many of the frustrations of the classroom environment, brain training can be a game-changer for learners who struggle. When students need both math help and reading help, it’s often because they’re having difficulty with the underlying skills needed for effective learning.

Those are cognitive skills like working memory, logic, concentration, and visual processing—skills that play a role in both math and reading, as well as many other school subjects. Through focused brain training, they can strengthen those skills, get math help and reading help, and unlock new abilities!

Whether you’re looking for math help or reading help, we always tailor brain training to each individual student. To find out more, you can reach LearningRx at 866-BRAIN-01, or just visit our website today!