Why do Children Struggle with Math?
Math isn’t everyone’s cup of hot chocolate (especially if it’s Monday morning and your kid just can’t find their socks). If you’ve ever seen your child clench their pencil like it’s a battle sword and stare blankly at a page full of numbers, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The struggle with math is real, and you’re not alone. Math anxiety is widespread, affecting not just kids but adults, too. Around 93% of adult Americans experience some level of math anxiety, and 17% suffer from severe symptoms. In homes across Canada, parents are watching their kids get frustrated, anxious, and sometimes even defeated by what seems like just homework. But it’s more than that. Math can feel overwhelming, especially when the foundational concepts aren’t rock solid. So why does math feel like such a mountain to climb for so many kids? Let’s break it down—without the scary equations.
The Canadian Scenario Across provinces, standardized math scores have seen a dip in recent years. Reports and headlines often show declining confidence in math among elementary and middle school students. In Ontario, only 49% of Grade 3 girls believe they are good at math compared to 62% of boys, a gap that widens by Grade 6. Add to that the gap caused by remote learning during the pandemic, and it’s no wonder that kids are finding it hard to bounce back. But here’s the good news: You can help your child thrive in math again. First, let’s understand where the struggle begins.
Early Signs That Your Child Might Be Struggling with Math The signs aren’t always a giant red flag. Sometimes they’re subtle, like your child suddenly “forgetting” their math workbook at school or getting unusually quiet when you ask how the math class was. Other times, it shows up in unexpected ways: sudden tummy aches on math-test days or tears over simple homework questions.
Here are a few signs to watch for: ● Avoidance of math-related activities or homework: They might procrastinate until the last minute or even outright refuse to engage with math tasks. This avoidance often stems from feeling overwhelmed or incapable, and it’s their way of dodging the discomfort. ● Anxiety before tests: Sudden tummy aches, headaches, or complaints of feeling unwell before math tests could signal test anxiety. Your child might also exhibit nervous habits like fidgeting, biting their nails, or appearing unusually quiet. ● Low self-esteem when it comes to solving problems: Does your child say things like “I’m just bad at math” or “I’ll never get this”? Such negative self-talk reflects a lack of confidence and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. ● Difficulty in understanding basic concepts: Struggles with foundational skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or place value are red flags. For example, if your child can’t grasp place value, they may struggle with multi-digit operations or decimals. A constant need for re-explanation: If your child frequently asks for help but gets frustrated when explanations don’t immediately click, it might indicate they’re having trouble processing math concepts. This frustration often leads to impatience with themselves and others, especially parents trying to help, which can escalate into tears or tantrums.
Why Does This Happen? There are plenty of reasons why kids struggle with math, and no, it’s not because they’re lazy or not smart. Many times, it’s the way math is taught or the pace that confuses them. Some kids need more time to absorb numerical concepts, and if they don’t get that, everything that follows feels like it’s written in another language. Here are a few reasons why your child finds math tricky:
Lack of strong foundational skills: Research shows that early math competence, such as understanding numbers and their relationships, is a strong predictor of later math achievement. For example, children who lack foundational skills in first grade often fall significantly behind their peers by middle school.
One-size-fits-all teaching approaches: Traditional teaching methods often focus on rote memorization and speed rather than understanding. This “one-size-fits-all” approach can alienate students who learn differently or need more time to grasp concepts. School’s standardized tests and rigid curricula often fail to accommodate these diverse learning needs.
Math anxiety or fear of being “wrong”: Math anxiety, a feeling of tension or dread when dealing with numbers, is a significant barrier for many students. It not only affects performance but also creates avoidance behaviors that hinder learning over time.
Gaps in learning during key developmental years: Missed opportunities to build math skills during critical periods, such as early elementary school, can lead to long-term struggles.
Poor number sense or inability to visualize problems: Students with weak number sense may struggle with basic operations and find it hard to connect abstract symbols (like
numerals) to real-world quantities. Without this skill, even simple calculations can feel overwhelming.
How Do You Help Your Children overcome it? Breathe. Don’t panic. The beauty of the human brain, especially a child’s, is that it can adapt and grow. With the right tools, encouragement, and support, your child can not only catch up but actually start loving math.
Here are some ways that work wonderfully well for children at UCMAS:
UCMAS abacus math program uses visual learning tools like abacus to help kids actually “see” the numbers they’re working with. Our mental math tutoring helps children build logic, memory, and confidence.
At UCMAS, we replace math pressure with play. Children play math games, solve mental math worksheets, fun challenges, and creative puzzles.
We also conduct summer camps for kids, where math quizzes are blended with activities, movement, and friendship.
At UCMAS, our mentors to the children openly about the fear of failure. We let them know that it’s okay to make mistakes—and it’s just a part of learning.
At UCMAS, we have multiple Inspiring Stories of Students who overcame their math struggles and went on to shine on the global stage. These young achievers didn’t just conquer numbers—they built confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning.
If They’re Not Struggling Yet… Let’s Keep It That Way with UCMAS Maybe your child isn’t crying over math homework (yet). That’s amazing, and it means you’ve got the perfect opportunity to build a rock-solid foundation before any fear or frustration kicks in. Math is a muscle. The earlier they start working on it, the stronger it gets. At UCMAS, we don’t just tutor math; we use the best ways to enhance math skills and turn them into your child’s superpower. Our mental math program boost their concentration, memory, focus, and problem-solving skills, all while having fun. Click here to find UCMAS abacus classes near you, or simply book a free info session today and let us together make your child more confident, curious, and capable.
