Kids tend to struggle the most with understanding concepts related to fractions, decimals, and geometry in math.
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According to educators and researchers, kids tend to struggle with various math concepts, but the most common ones are fractions, decimals, and geometry. These concepts require visual and spatial skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, which can be challenging for some students. For instance, many kids have difficulty grasping the notion of fractions and decimals as parts of a whole and struggle to convert between them or solve problems involving them. Similarly, geometry can be confusing for some as they need to understand shapes, angles, lines, and spatial relationships, which require visualizing and manipulating objects in their minds.
“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.” – William Paul Thurston
Here are some interesting facts on the topic of kids struggling with math:
- Studies have shown that math anxiety and lack of confidence can greatly affect students’ performance and learning outcomes.
- Girls, in particular, tend to be less confident in math than boys, even if they have the same abilities and skills.
- Many students struggle with math word problems as they require reading comprehension and the ability to translate verbal information into mathematical operations.
- Math teachers and schools are adopting various creative and interactive teaching methods and technologies to help students overcome their math challenges, such as gamification, virtual manipulatives, and formative assessment.
- Parents can also support their children’s math learning by providing them with real-life math experiences, encouraging their curiosity and problem-solving skills, and avoiding negative math attitudes and stereotypes.
Here is a table summarizing the main math concepts that kids struggle with and some possible reasons for the difficulty:
Math concept Possible reasons for difficulty
Fractions – Difficulty understanding fractions as parts of a whole – Need for visual and spatial skills – Lack of familiarity with equivalent fractions, simplification, and conversion – Anxiety and lack of confidence
Decimals – Difficulty connecting decimals to fractions and percents – Need for accurate decimal placement and rounding – Use of negative numbers and scientific notation – Inadequate practice and feedback
Geometry – Need for spatial visualization and logical reasoning – Difficulty identifying and measuring angles, lines, and shapes – Use of abstract symbols and formulas – Lack of real-life application and context
Additional responses to your query
Kids who struggle with math may have trouble with very simple concepts, like “more” vs. “less” and “bigger” vs. “smaller.” They may not understand amounts or the order of things, such as “first,” “second,” or “third.” The ability to understand basic concepts like these is known as number sense.
As a tutor for the past 35 years, I have dealt with children and adults who do not understand the math they are trying to do. I believe that many educators do not understand the math they are teaching so they struggle to explain it to their students. Young children need so see and touch things in order to learn them, therefor it is important to make math as tactile as possible. Some people struggle to learn the rules of math because they don’t understand the rules. Finally, those who have not mastered their basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division will struggle with higher level math because they have to spend too much time figuring out math facts.
As a side note, I also find that math difficulties are exasperated by poor language skills – if a person does not read well and lacks comprehension skills theywill not be able to understand their math work.
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The lack of mastery of math facts and the lack of exposure to enough examples are two reasons why students struggle with math. This leads to a lack of confidence and negative attitudes towards math, affecting their ability to learn and succeed in other subjects. However, a new approach that utilizes visual repetition, step-by-step animations, and a focus on individual steps can quickly and efficiently teach math fundamentals. This approach is affordable and provides monthly subscriptions to ensure that students are prepared for assignments and achieve maximum success on quizzes and tests. Additionally, technology can be used to improve math education by providing an efficient and effective teaching tool both in and out of the classroom, resulting in better performance and greater student confidence. The video encourages viewers to join in the revolution of modernizing math education and maximizing student success.
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What do students struggle with in math?
The reply will be: Mistakes such as number additions, substitutions, transpositions, omissions, and reversals in writing, reading, and recalling numbers. Difficulty with abstract concepts of time and direction. Inability to recall schedules and sequences of past or future events. Being chronically early or late.
What are the main reasons for children struggling with maths?
Response to this: Here are some common reasons why math is hard to learn for some children:
- Concentration and attention difficulties.
- Lack of understanding.
- Learning difficulties & disabilities.
- Lack of patience.
- Not enough opportunity.
- Being left-brained vs.
- Math anxiety.
What is the most difficult in math?
5 of the world’s toughest unsolved maths problems
- Separatrix Separation. A pendulum in motion can either swing from side to side or turn in a continuous circle.
- Navier–Stokes.
- Exponents and dimensions.
- Impossibility theorems.
- Spin glass.
What are the 7 most difficult math problems?
The response is: Clay “to increase and disseminate mathematical knowledge.” The seven problems, which were announced in 2000, are the Riemann hypothesis, P versus NP problem, Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture, Hodge conjecture, Navier-Stokes equation, Yang-Mills theory, and Poincaré conjecture.
Why do children struggle with math?
Physiological effects like nervousness, clammy hands, increased heart rate, upset stomach and lightheadedness And, for this reason, children can struggle with math from childhood all the way into adulthood. There are numerous mathematics learning disabilities, including one of the more common ones: dyscalculia.
Are American students struggling in math?
Response to this: American students struggle in math. The latest results of an international exam given to teenagers ranked the USA ninth in reading and 31st in math literacy out of 79 countries and economies. America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades.
How can I help a child with math problems?
Response will be: For educators: Learn about fraction number lines and other strategies to help kids who struggle with math. The only way to get a diagnosis is through an evaluation. This can happen at any age. Evaluators use different tests for adults than for kids. Kids can get an evaluation for free at school.
How do number facts affect a child’s ability to progress in mathematics?
The answer is: These deficits can exist independently of one another or can occur in combination. All can impact a child’s ability to progress in mathematics. Number facts are the basic computations (9 + 3 = 12 or 2 x 4 = 8) students are required to memorize in the earliest grades of elementary school.
Why does my child struggle with math?
Response to this: Many kids and adults struggle with math. Trouble with math can be a sign of learning and thinking differences, like dyscalculia. Finding out what’s causing your child’s struggles can help you find the right strategies to help your child get better at math. Many people struggle with math, and they can struggle with it for different reasons.
Are American students struggling in math?
In reply to that: American students struggle in math. The latest results of an international exam given to teenagers ranked the USA ninth in reading and 31st in math literacy out of 79 countries and economies. America has a smaller-than-average share of top-performing math students, and scores have essentially been flat for two decades.
How can I help a child with math problems?
For educators: Learn about fraction number lines and other strategies to help kids who struggle with math. The only way to get a diagnosis is through an evaluation. This can happen at any age. Evaluators use different tests for adults than for kids. Kids can get an evaluation for free at school.
Why do students find math hard?
One of the biggest reasons why students find math hard is because they don’t understand its value in real life. This attitude becomes harder to shake off when students are about to start high school math, which is more theory-based. If your child is questioning the real-life value of math, explore why they think that is with them.