Step 1 to Helping Your Child in Math Class: Identify One of These 4 Math Class Struggles

We all know that education needs reform. From overworked teachers to academic coddling, there are real and persistent struggles within the academic system in the U.S.A. Do not get any educator started with the issues related to AI. Apart from this, your student’s personal hardships add another dimension to this full time job that is parenting.

In math class, it is always highlighted to identify the problem at hand first. It might seem obvious when the discussion is about an imaginary situation. However, it might not be as easy in real life. Real life is the most complex trick word problem. Part of the reason that many parents struggle to help their children in their academics is because they do not identify the challenges that their child might be experiencing. It is understandably so, since these struggles can be difficult to pinpoint. So the solutions that the parent might implement will not solve the struggles at hand. In addition, there may be layers of these struggles that are also interacting in different ways.

Throughout the years being a tutor who is behind the scenes, I have observed the following struggles that persist in student’s academic lives. This list is also influenced by what other colleagues have observed as well. The reasons behind these struggles and how to address them are whole other discussions. However, identifying them is the first crucial step to creating a more helpful and customized approach for each student.

It should go without saying that misuses of systems that are in place to help because of documented medical conditions that affect academics are unfortunately rampant. However, this article does not deep dive into this particular topic and does not criticize anyone who might need this type of assistance in school as part of established programs.

Students often feel anxiety and isolation when the topic of math class is involved. The struggles mentioned here are pervasive reasons to address.

In no particular order, here are the major challenges that students from middle school to college face nowadays.

1. Understanding of the class content

It is understandable that the most obvious option might be what's happening. There is the possibility of having difficulty understanding the concept because it is inherently difficult for the student and or the way it is being delivered makes it difficult. It can be phrased differently, but the essence is the same. Both deal with understanding the concept itself. Difficult concepts and teaching style can both create understanding a concept hard. This struggle is indeed responsible for a lot of student’s academic hardships. 

2. Not knowing how to take notes

The entire system supports students not being explicitly taught how to take notes. I’m not referring to proper, efficient notes, but notes at all. Relying on note packets where students need only to fill in certain words, or having to tell students exactly what to write or expecting them to write everything on the board are hindrances supported by the current curriculums. This major guidance that is provided during middle school and at the beginning of high school is necessary. However, there is a need to explicitly teach and enforce practicing note taking. The usefulness of notes is only seen when they are nonexistent. Students know that notes are useful, but for many reasons they do not take notes that work for them or any at all. The guidance provided starts to become a hindrance when it is not followed by independence.

3. Memorizing: Not remembering what they learned

With the rise of digital tools and easy access to the internet, the assumption that students no longer need to memorize anything is very wrong. In order to understand the many new concepts, there is a need for memorization in the form of remembering. It is not enough for a student to understand the concept while the teacher is explaining it. For example, it is absolutely necessary to remember how to  use arithmetic mathematics before moving onto algebra. They must be able to remember the concepts in order to keep learning more deeply.

This requires effort that is not explicitly mentioned by anyone, so it goes as an unspoken expectation that seems to cause problems but no one can pinpoint it. Students are not remembering or memorizing what is necessary, and or they also need help deciphering what information is necessary for them to keep remembering.

4. Coddling 

Coddling or giving too many good opportunities to those who will abuse them is a persistent challenge. Understandably teachers and the system at large have had to adapt to a more comprehensive learning approach that encompasses many learning needs, and so their class structures have allowed more leniency. This is in theory a great approach. However, many students take the leniency as a sign to relax and cruise by. Unfortunately, this approach undoes what the extra credit, multiple retakes and make ups were offering in the first place. These tools are there to catch a student from falling once or twice, but if the student seems to rely on these tools, there is a bigger issue at hand.

Takeaways

An immense acknowledgement is due to the multidimensional interplay of these issues, as well as the many challenges within the administrative structures in academia that affect these issues.

The academic struggle of a student will probably be multilayered and will require a series of experiments, each time tweaking something and waiting to see the results. This requires patience, persistence, and effort from guardians, teachers, counselors, other educators involved, and the students themselves. This is the reason parents often choose to hire someone dedicated to this aspect of rerouting their child to a self-sustained academic position. It will take time, but the reward will be fully academically independent children who will be able to manage their time, responsibilities, and goals to successfully move on to college and beyond.

If you are interested in receiving this comprehensive support, feel free to contact me or submit a booking request for a consultation.