The first question I ask might seem obvious, but it's important. How do you know your child is struggling in math? Did she get a bad grade on a math test? Is daily homework a battle? Is this the first time they have struggled, or has it been going on for a while?
Sometimes it's just a feeling you have that they aren't "getting it." Maybe the work suddenly seems much harder. Or maybe your child can do the work but complain a lot about math being boring or too hard. All of these issues have solutions, but the paths to success will differ.
The next question I ask is what would it look like if your child overcame the struggles and was thriving in math. Would homework time be more peaceful? Would report card grades go up?
Of course any solution will take time. But knowing what success looks and feels like to you and your child, and being clear on that goal, will usually help us get there much faster.
Once you've answered these two questions thoughtfully, you can create a plan to get you on that path to success. There are so many resources out there. It's easy to spend lots of money and time on tutoring, or books and classes and programs that promise to help. The secret is knowing your child, knowing what they need, and then choosing something that will address their specific needs. Sometimes a tutor is the best choice. One-on-one support is a great way to catch up on a few missed skills or develop good study habits. Other times, a class or even a high quality website will be enough.
I will share more ideas for helping your child in my next blog. In the meantime, please visit the FAQs page on my website if you have any questions. If you don't see your question answered, please submit it. Chances are other people are wondering the same thing!
