My Child is Failing Math, What Do I Do?
“I don’t understand my teacher, mom.”
“What is the point in learning this?”
“Math is dumb”
Have you ever heard your child say one of these things? Did you try to offer help or motivation and nothing changed? A child misunderstanding math at some point in their education is one of the most commonly shared situations among teens and young adults. For some, it may be the result of a learning disability/restriction and for others, it may seem like a mystery. “Why can Alex finish the test first and get an A? I only get a few answers correct that I guessed on?” The frustration from being unable to do math while the school system keeps pushing you forward regardless only leads to fatigue and resistance towards learning math. Seeing your child work through these feelings is only another level of stress we may find ourselves in as parents. We want our kids to succeed–to be better and smarter than we were. We want them to be successful.
In working with kids, teens, and adults in developing math skills, I’ve learned one universal truth about success in math. It is not about the end result that makes someone successful in math; It is all about the skills obtained WHILE learning math that make someone successful. Society and education has engraved in us that your final grade is what proves your success in math. Let me challenge this concept by comparing two students.
---Student 1:
Math prodigy, understands algebra instantly. Able to solve multi-step equations effortlessly without writing anything down. Never has issues or struggles with learning math related items.
Student 2:
Needs to retake all math classes before finally passing. Needs extra help after school to be able to stay caught up with the rest of their classmates. Works through struggles by relying on parental support and encouragement.
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As a parent, you may hope that your child is Student 1 or at least hope that your child is not Student 2. You also would probably love your child regardless of what Student they were in this comparison. If we were to look at how these two children grow up, we would very likely see that Student 2 is more successful. But, how is that possible?
Student 2 will have eventually learned math even if it took longer and required working through more mental barriers. AND that is exactly why they are likely to be more successful. Student 2 learned how to face adversity with determination. Student 2 learned how to ask for help when it was needed. Student 2 learned how to rely on others for support. These are extremely important skills that many of us, as adults, have yet to learn to do well.
So, how do you help your child when they are failing math?
You support them. You encourage them. You tell them that the process is refining them into strong individuals. Learning math has never been about being able to go outside and calculate the slope or trajectory of a ball you throw. Learning math is about developing perseverance, developing logical understanding, and encouraging abstract/critical thinking. Don’t be too hard on yourself or your child when they are struggling. We all struggle with different things. Let’s learn to encourage each other, to work through the struggles together, and appreciate the process that comes with learning new things.
2 comments - My Child is Failing Math, What Do I Do?
Your response is appreciated! I must say though, it seems like you might have meant to respond to my previous article about AI but either way, I'm glad you left a comment! I hope the website is not too confusing to use and feel free to let me know if anything is weird!
Now, as for your question. I 100% agree that schoolwork needs to adjust with the times. I've actually been thinking that schoolwork and the classroom in general have been outdated for a while now. With AI being so accessible now, we are just seeing how drastically outdated it really has become.