Is Tutoring the Only Option for Math Help?

“I’m just not good at math.” How many times have you heard that? Some people seem to have a natural aptitude for numbers and equations, while others can’t help but struggle. For those who have a tough time, math help can redefine what’s possible. That’s true for kids as well as teens—and adults, too.

Parents tend to gravitate towards math tutoring, but it’s not the only option for math help. Math training can also be a great way to unlock the complexities and thinking skills needed for successful math learning. That’s even true for those who deal with learning differences like dyscalculia!

Each option draws on different methods and may be well-suited for different learners. When trying to decide which form of math help is better for you or your child, it helps to understand what’s causing difficulties in the first place. Let’s take a look.

Exploring Math Help: Tutoring vs Math Training

Understanding the Cause of Math Challenges

When students need math help, it’s not always for the same reason. Sometimes, students have been doing fine in math, but hit a roadblock:

• They have a teacher who struggles to properly instruct the class on fundamental concepts.
• They miss out on a few crucial lessons due to illness or absence.
• Their grades are passable but they want to improve them further.
• The class is noisy and disruptive, making learning a challenge.
• They move to a new school or grade with a steeper learning curve.

In these scenarios, the environment or context is the problem. The student isn’t necessarily struggling with the ability to learn and think. They’ve previously shown themselves to be fully capable of internalizing math concepts or lessons. These are times when math tutoring might be a good fit.

For other students, though, it’s not so simple. These are kids who may never have enjoyed math or found it easy. With these kids, math can be a constant uphill battle:  

• They want to learn, but they struggle to focus.
• They get nervous or anxious when dealing with math or numbers.
• They can’t get a handle on fundamental math concepts. 
• They face regular challenges in the classroom.
• They’re dealing with ADHD, ASD, dyscalculia, or other learning differences.  

For these kids, the learning environment may be a disruption, but it’s not the cause of math difficulties. Instead, they lack the foundational skills needed to grasp equations, concepts, and numbers.

Changing up their environment through tutoring may help, but it won’t address the root problem—which is where brain training in math can make a difference. 

How Brain Training Delivers Math Help

There’s a lot more to math learning than meets the eye. When we study and apply math, we’re drawing on all kinds of complex cognitive skills—including short-term memory, logic, reasoning, visual processing, and sustained focus.

When students consistently face struggles with math, it’s not always because the concepts are too hard. Often, it’s because they’re missing the fundamental cognitive skills which makes learning math easier.

Brain training from LearningRx allows students of all ages to work on these skills. Through a regimen of one-on-one challenges, drills, and exercises, learners can target specific cognitive abilities which need improvement. When students hone these skills, they can create a foundation for better learning and thinking. 

For students who’ve always needed math help, this kind of support can be incredibly empowering! In research studies, kids and teens who completed a LearningRx program reported significant improvements in academic skills as well as self-esteem and confidence*.  

Building A Pathway to Learning Through Math Training

Through brain training, kids, teens, and adults can get the math help they need! Our math training programs typically take six months to complete. Each program is tailored uniquely based on a learner’s abilities and needs:   

• Students learn to break down math problems into smaller pieces, so they’re easier to understand and easier to solve.  
• Students spend focused time with math languages, becoming familiar with written equations and spoken concepts.
• Students work on becoming fluent in numbers and quantities, so they can see and apply these concepts in the real world.
• Students work on speed and accuracy in math training, giving them a foundation to solve math equations and absorb math concepts.

When you or your child needs math help, brain training can be game-changing. Contact your local LearningRx or call 866-BRAIN-01 to book a Brain Skills Assessment today!

* Results based on research and/or surveys of past clients. You or your child may not achieve the same results.