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Math difficulties are extremely common among people of all ages, but the problems have very different causes, and the first step is to troubleshoot.
As a subject, mathematics can be very challenging because it demands many cognitive steps. Learning from a math lesson requires sustained attention, note-taking, processing of symbols, visual processing and memory of spatial order and relationships, writing, and listening to verbal explanations. In addition, because much of the information is presented at once, mathematics learning often requires strong multi-tasking ability.
For mathematics problem solving, students must translate words into mathematical symbols and relationships, recall math facts and procedures, sustain attention for multiple steps, write, and finally find errors.
The first step in trying to figure out the source of math difficulties is to study the student's homework, note-taking, and ability to explain in words what the math procedures are determining. Parents should also be aware that many teachers do not have specialty training in mathematics, so they may have to teach by 'rote' and drill rather than by reasoning or explanation.
Mathematics is an important focus of study for all students because it is often the most formal subject where reasoning and problem solving are required. States now require math proficiency for high school graduation, and for many professions, so that math may be the 'gatekeeper' for certain career disciplines.
Mathematics giftedness is also important to mention on these pages because sometimes a student's precocity will be unrecognized because of average or even below-average performance with mathematical calculations. There are many different types of math disciplines - and parents should be on the lookout for opportunities to develop talent because the most interesting conceptual math subjects may not presented in conventional K-12 education.
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