Why is Your Child Falling Behind in Math?

In a world where technology is advancing at an exponential rate, math skills are more important than ever before.

Math is a crucial skill for today’s youth. Whether it’s to succeed in college, get a job, or just be able to balance their checkbook, math skills are important.

Recently, you may be noticing that your child is struggling with math. This can affect performance in other subjects, too. But why is your child falling behind? And what can you do about it? Read on to learn more!

Possible Reasons Why Your Child is Failing in Math

It’s no secret that the world is becoming increasingly tech-savvy and more competitive. As a result, it can be difficult for some students to keep up with their peers if they’re struggling in one area.

Math can be particularly frustrating for children who don’t excel at it because not only do they have to worry about doing well on tests and homework, but also that they will struggle when taking higher-level math courses or even applying for jobs where advance math skills are required.

Here are some of the possible reasons why your child is failing in math.

1.      Covid-19 Disruption

Failing in math is a common issue for students, and it has been proven time and time again that remote learning, brought about by the pandemic, may be the reason why your child is failing.

We all know that the internet has made it much easier to learn new things. But what is not so obvious are the negative effects of distance learning, which may be more harmful than helpful.

Some students feel they need to take a break from their studies due to increased anxiety and stress levels when studying online, while others find it difficult to get into an academic mindset.

In addition, being taught by someone who is far away from them can be daunting and difficult to manage. With no face-to-face interaction between teacher and student, there’s a high risk for miscommunication, especially when the math topic involves diagrams and drawings. Such miscommunication may lead to less desirable grades for both parties involved.

2.      Curriculum

It is no secret that math can be difficult. The truth is, the curriculum for math may not be challenging enough to keep students engaged in their learning. Teachers are often forced to use techniques that work best with the classes they teach.

When a teacher has an entire classroom of struggling learners, it becomes necessary for them to use hands-on activities and other methods to help kids stay interested in what they’re doing rather than feeling frustrated by how easy or hard it is.

For many children, this can lead to frustration because they don’t understand why something so simple should take so long when other people seem to know it right away.

This can lead some kids into a cycle of negativity where school just seems like one big challenge after another without any rewards at all.

3.      School holidays

School holidays are a time for kids to have fun and relax before going back to school. But this can also be the reason your child is failing in math.

This is because during the holidays , many students take the chance to unwind and find other distractions away from academic work like mobile games or media consumption on their devices. When their minds are not engaged and thinking about math concepts, they lose the opportunity to internalize what they have just learnt during their math lessons. This causes them to forget newly acquired knowledge and will put them at a disadvantage when the teacher starts a new topic that  build  on existing math skills and concepts.

And while some may think this break is good for kids who are tired of all the work, it actually ends up hurting them in the long run when they go back to school and discover that they are no longer proficient in fundamental mathematical skills like arithmetic or geometry. In many cases, a consistent refresher goes a long way in keeping a student’s mind active during the long breaks.

What to Do if Your Child is Falling Behind?

If you have a child who is struggling to keep up with math, it      is time to take some action. It’s important that your child be able to keep up with their classwork, so they don’t fall behind and lose confidence.

Here are some ways you can help them succeed in mathematics:

1.      Make Math Fun

It is important to make math fun for your child. Math is a necessary part of life, and it will give them skills they can use throughout their life, but if it becomes too boring or frustrating, they may not want to learn anymore.

Teaching children how to have fun with mathematics will help them become more excited about the subject. As math can be found everywhere, always start a topic by explaining how is learning this skill useful for their future. For example, when learning the math topic Geometry, you start by explaining that these skills are necessary for the construction of buildings, measuring orbits, computer graphics or even art.

In addition, you can play math games like tic tac toe, sudoku or do household chores together while counting out loud.

You can also solve word problems using everyday objects found around the house. If not, try to create a math game night with friends or family members where everyone brings over their favorite board games or card games that involve numbers.

2.      Make Use of Educational Games

There are many ways to teach math, and it can be hard to decide which one is best for your child.

There are the traditional methods, like flashcards and worksheets, but there’s also a more modern way that incorporates games into learning: educational games.

These types of games make learning fun by incorporating colours, graphics, videos and even a point scoring or reward system to attract children to put in more effort in solving their math problems. The goal is to get through each level before you run out of time or lives (points).

There are many educational games that can be used to supplement your math curriculum. These games range from kindergarten level up to advanced algebra and calculus levels.

3.      Practice Makes Perfect

You may think that math is an easy subject, but there are more than a few tricks for parents to know. One of the most important things you should do is let your child practice solving math problems.

It is not enough for them to be able to read the numbers on a page and know what they mean; they need to feel confident with their mental math skills.

The best way for your children to get this experience is through solving puzzles that require them to add, subtract, multiply and divide without using a calculator or paper and pencil.

This will help give your child ownership over their own learning process while sharpening their critical thinking skills.

It doesn’t matter if they’re right or wrong–the point is to get them used to working through mathematical situations and seeing what happens when different numbers are plugged in.

The more your child practices math problems, the better they can remember, and the better they get at solving them.

4.      Find a Qualified Tutor

Many parents find themselves in a situation where they are unable to help their child with math because either they don’t know how or the subject matter is too advanced.

One way to ensure that your child can stay up-to-date on their math skills is by hiring a qualified tutor.

There are many factors that go into finding the right math tutor for your child, including the level of education they have attained and how comfortable they are with teaching children. However, there are some things to look out for when looking for a good tutor.

For example, create a shortlist of tutors based off web reviews and personal recommendations, and following that, arrange for a meeting with the tutor to see how they can help your child on a personal level. As communication is key, ensure that a clear and transparent communication channel between tutor, student and parent is established, and that the tutor is readily available within their typical work day. Finally, parents could request to sample the tutor’s learning material and assess their approach to the math curriculum. This way, you can rest assured that you’re getting quality instruction from an experienced professional!

Tips for Your Child to Ace Math Exams

Math is unavoidable. We use it in our everyday lives whether we like it or not, and those who don’t understand the subject are often at a disadvantage.

After school, many kids have different interests, hobbies, and activities they want to participate in. One activity that seems to take up a lot of time is studying for homework assignments or tests.

With so much else going on, it can be difficult to get all the studying done before bedtime rolls around each day – but it’s not impossible! Here are some quick tips:

1.      Separate a List of Formulae from Their Notes

Math is an essential skill that every child should learn. However, it can be difficult to remember all the formulas and rules in one sitting.

One way to make memorizing math formulas easier is by writing them down on a cheat sheet for your child to refer back to when needed. This can also be in the form of a chapter summary or math mind map.

A list of formulae is a great resource for students and teachers alike. It’s a quick way to check your work or find the formula you need without having to read through a textbook page-by-page.

But there’s also something about those little notes that seem so helpful like they’re giving us some inside knowledge!

2.      Practice and Practice

Math is a subject that many people are intimidated by. It’s hard to know where to start, but it’s necessary for children to learn how to solve math problems.

Children learn math by solving problems. When they get to school, they will be expected to solve more difficult and abstract problems.

However, it is not necessary for them to wait until then to start practicing with math problems of increasing difficulty levels.

As a parent, you want your child to be successful in school. One way they can do this is by practicing solving math problems on their own. This will help them learn the basics of mathematics, which will stay with them for life.

3.      Look for Alternative Methods

No one has a perfect solution for every problem. In the case of parenting, it’s important to be aware of other methods that may work better in some situations than others.

This is where alternative solving methods come into play! Sometimes, kids need different methods in order to find their own solutions.

There are many different ways to solve the same math problem. This is because there are multiple representations of a single problem, each with its own set of steps.

For example, if you were trying to figure out how much water is in a one-liter bottle, you could use measurements or estimation by comparing it to other containers.

4.      Familiarize your Child with the Exam Environment

One of the most important parts of this process is preparing your child for their upcoming exams. With that in mind, it’s never too early to start familiarizing them with the exam environment so they can be more comfortable on test day.

Make sure your child knows what to expect by having them do a few sample math test papers in a timed setting. This way, they learn to manage their time during an exam and avoid spending too much time thinking about a question and failing to move on to the next.

Preparing your child for the environment of the test can help them get a head start on understanding what will happen and how they should prepare.

5.      Do Not Study Last Minute

As a parent, you want your child to succeed but also worry about what will happen if they don’t study for upcoming tests. It’s important that we teach our children how important it is not only to do well on exams but also why this has such an impact on their future success and happiness.

Parents often assume that their children will study for the exam the night before. But this is not a good idea and can actually be more harmful than helpful. It is more beneficial if the child revises in bite-sized amounts that are more manageable on a day-to-day basis. Drawing out a plan of action or a time table will also help the child see an end to his or her revision.

There are several reasons why it’s important to avoid cramming at the last minute:

• Your child will get distracted and forget what they studied
• Your child will get tired and won’t be able to concentrate on their studies
• Your child’s memory retention of information will decrease drastically if he/she is exhausted
• It can cause stress which might lead to anxiety or depression.

6.      Good Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential before an exam. It is important for the brain to have time to process information from the day prior in order for your child to do well on exams.

Encourage them by giving them healthy food options and plenty of water throughout the day, so they don’t feel hungry or thirsty when they go into the exam room.

Students who don’t sleep well before an exam may have a harder time focusing, and many students also report feeling more stressed and anxious.

So, here are a few ways you can help your child get a restful sleep before their big day:

• Make sure they have had enough exercise and healthy food to feel energized and well-nourished during the test
• Keep in mind that too much stimulation (e.g., TV) and not enough physical activity may make it difficult for them to fall asleep at bedtime
• Be mindful of what they eat or drink before bedtime, as this could affect their ability to stay asleep when it’s time for their rest
• If necessary, create a quiet environment in their bedroom by turning off electronics such as TVs and computers, removing clutter from the room, etc.

The Science Academy Approach

Math in primary school has evolved beyond simple numbers and problem-solving. It involves more critical thinking to train younger students for their future education. Primary math involves creative strategies and a continuous process to understand the subject.

The Science Academy (TSA) is committed to helping students find joy in doing math. At TSA, we always encourage students to think outside the box and to stimulate their minds so they can explore different approaches to problem-solving. TSA aims to help students to enjoy math by bridging the gaps in their misconceptions and help them build a strong foundation.