Math is often a tricky subject for many children. If your kids are feeling overly stressed about the subject, try using some of the tips below to help them feel better about their progress.
Reassure Them Everything Will Be Okay
The first thing to do when your child is feeling overwhelmed from not understanding a subject is to reassure them that things are going to be okay. They will eventually understand what’s going on. A slower progression isn’t the end of the world. Let them know there isn’t anything wrong with struggling with math.
Acknowledge Their Frustrations
Avoid saying anything like “it’s not that hard” or “come on, you can figure this out” when a child expresses frustration about math. This can make them feel more upset. Empathize with their struggle. Some people comprehend numbers easier than others. This is also a good time to be aware of signs of ADHD or other learning disabilities that may affect their schoolwork in the future.
Work Through the Process
Helping your child figure out how to get the right answer to a math problem is more important than the answer itself. If they are having trouble understanding the process you are trying to explain to them, reverse the roles. Have them explain to you how to solve the problem. This will help both of you identify where they are getting stuck so you can work through that portion together.
Don’t Overwork Them
As satisfying as it is to power through a problem until you get it solved, your child can only handle so much at a time. If they are experiencing frustrations with math, it will make it even harder for them to focus on the subject for very long. Limit your lessons to 20 minutes at a time. Then let them take a break before returning to the problem. This will make it feel less overwhelming and easier to tackle.