For many students, solving mathematical problems takes plenty of effort. Surveys show that about 37% of students aged 13 to 17 found math to be the most challenging subject in school. While some students do have a sharp sense of logic and reasoning, they can still find themselves struggling with math homework and quizzes.
Mathematics can also be extremely overwhelming for students who have a short attention span. Other factors that make the subject challenging include learning difficulties, anxiety, and lack of understanding of basic mathematics concepts.
Identifying the issues early and using effective learning strategies are key to helping students learn maths fast so they can achieve their full potential in the subject.
Factors That Contribute to Difficulties With Math
- Dyscalculia
Students with dyscalculia often struggle with formulas, shapes, and number-related concepts. This condition makes the process of understanding and solving math problems challenging, causing students to fall behind.
- Math Anxiety
Anxiety does not only make students dislike math but also triggers unexplainable fear of failure that hinders students from understanding and learning the process. The pressure and apprehension can cause a mental block, which makes students forget about the things they already know.
- Poor Foundation
Learning difficulty is not always the cause of math challenges. Some students struggle due to the poor foundation needed to understand the subject. Some may have fallen behind and are forced to proceed to advanced topics despite the lack of understanding of more basic concepts.
Reasons Why Math is Challenging for Students
- Basic Concepts Are Unclear
The lack of understanding of the basic concepts is the most common problem. Mathematics is learned sequentially and must be done in phases. They must first understand a certain concept before they can learn subsequent concepts. If a student clearly understands the basics of mathematics, they can move ahead in class without difficulty.
Unfortunately, many students refuse to admit that they’re struggling with a specific topic. So when the teacher moves to the next lesson, this can cause the students to fall behind in class.
- Not Taking It Slow
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts are necessary if you want to solve any mathematical equations. However, it requires both practice and patience.
Many believe that learning and understanding the concept of math as quickly as possible can make them good students. Instead of taking time to learn, they end up cramming. However, this can only lead to problems and confusion. To excel in math, you must develop a habit of learning the ropes slowly and steadily, one step at a time.
- Lack of Practice or Patience
Many students do not invest enough time in practicing. While others may think they are doing fine, they still need to review certain areas or branches of the subject. When attempting to solve a problem themselves, it might come as a surprise that they are struggling through the process. Some students may feel confident after the lesson, only to discover that solving math problems independently can be extremely tough.
Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to learning math. A student may need to approach their teacher to help them with the lesson. Alternatively, they can find a private math tutor who will take the time to identify the specific areas in which they require improvement and focus on closing these learning gaps.
- Not Relevant to Daily Life
Math is abstract and students may find it difficult to relate to it. The applicability of its concepts, whether it’s basic word problems, calculus, or probability, to day-to-day life isn’t always obvious. That is why students seem to have a hard time grasping the relevance of the subject. Even if a student can answer a problem in a classroom setting, there is still a chance that they may be left feeling that the concept cannot be applied in real life, causing dissatisfaction.
- Method of Teaching
To help students learn math, teachers should use specific methods to make the subject easy to comprehend. The various math concepts taught in school are complex and, if not presented well, may also seem to have no actual value in the real world. It’s essential for educators to make sure they use a variety of techniques to cater to different learning abilities.
How to Help Students Overcome Their Struggle With Math
The simplest, most effective way to help struggling students is to start with easy problems that they can solve. This can help boost a student’s confidence, giving them the motivation to learn more. Starting with difficult problems can make students lose interest in learning.
If your child is struggling with math, hiring a private tutor gives your child the opportunity to practice and allows them to acclimatize to various problem-solving techniques. This helps build their confidence and motivation, which can ultimately improve their grades in the subject.
Top Class Edge Learning can help you and your child reach that goal. We have highly qualified tutors who can help your child overcome learning challenges and solve math problems with ease. Call us today at (647) 795-0406 to learn more about our math tutoring services in Richmond Hill.
