Why do students struggle with maths?

Ask most students what subject they find most difficult in school or college, and they will answer mathematics.

Even if a student does not pursue a STEM career, they will have to cope with maths until their GCSEs and A-Levels.

So, identifying why children struggle with maths is the key to helping them study maths better and maybe enjoy it a little!

1) Students Know How But They Don’t Know Why

In class, students learn how to follow a select set of steps to reach the answer. Either they aren't taught the concept behind the solution, or they find the whole process too monotonous.

As a result, when they encounter a slightly different question where they have to apply their concepts, they feel overwhelmed.

Recent educational research speaks about having a knowledge based curriculum, emphasising that knowledge precedes skill. In teaching maths, this means that topics should be taught from first principles and linked with other areas of maths (this helps to build schemas).

The Foundation Is Weak

There are many subjects, such as English or History, where even if students miss a class, they can catch up easily.

Maths is more sequential learning. Every lecture builds upon what students learned in the previous one. Similarly, in each year group, students are taught assuming they know and remember the concepts from last year.

Thus, a student already struggling with core concepts finds it even more difficult to grasp advanced level topics.

The UK teaching standards indicate that new teaching should build on prior knowledge (Teaching standard 2) and that appropriate in-class assessment (Teaching standard 6) should take place to establish what the students prior knowledge is before building on that knowledge (teaching).

Students Want To See Application

"Where will we ever use this?" – this question pops up in the mind of every math student ever.

While some basic topics may come in handy in daily life, it's true that most students will not encounter advanced math unless they take up a STEM major.

Therefore, if classes are not active and engaging, students will lose interest very quickly.

In reality, maths is a highly practical subject and by exploring the reasons for why and how certain concepts were made can help students to see the importance of what they are learning.

How To Make Maths Easy

So, we know why students struggle with maths, but what’s the solution?

Well, students who find maths hard just need the right tutor to simplify concepts and help build their foundation in a fun and engaging way! Excellent subject knowledge and the expert skills to explain the knowledge to novice learners, is what makes all the difference.

At Primary Plus Maths, that’s exactly what our highly qualified tutors provide!

Get in touch with us today and together, let’s empower your child to ace his or her maths exams and prepare for their next steps in life.