My Child Is Struggling With Math: What to Do

$My Child Is Struggling With Math: What to Do$

Early math is built in steps too: counting, knowing what a number means, comparing amounts, then adding and taking away. A child who struggles with adding is often shaky on an earlier step, such as counting objects one by one. Go back to that step, use real things like blocks or coins first, then pictures, then numbers, and practice for a few minutes every day.

1Math is built in steps

A U.S. Department of Education guide on teaching math to young children recommends teaching number and operations step by step, following the order in which children usually learn them.

First counting in order, then counting objects one by one, then knowing that the last number tells how many, then comparing which group has more, then adding and taking away.

2Find the shaky step

Put seven blocks on the table and ask how many. Watch: does your child touch each block once, and say one number for each? Ask which of two groups has more.

If counting objects is shaky, adding will be too. Practice the earlier step first.

A worksheet page from Numbers 1 to 20 — A page from Free Numbers 1 to 20 Worksheets. You can print 3 pages free.

3Real things first

Use blocks, buttons or snacks. Make a group of 3 and a group of 2, push them together and count all of them. That is adding.

Once real things are easy, use pictures of things, then numbers alone. Moving too fast to numbers is a common reason math feels hard.

4A little every day

Talk math in daily life: count the stairs, the plates, the cars. Ask how many more we need. The same guide recommends this kind of everyday math talk.

Practice a few minutes a day. If your child still struggles after steady practice, ask the teacher what the school sees.

Print free practice pagesFree pages from our packs, in color and in black and white.See the free pages

Quick tips

Check counting objects one by one first.
Use real things before pictures, and pictures before numbers.
Count everyday things out loud together.
Practice a few minutes a day.
Ask the teacher if it stays hard.

Not sure where to start? Get a free plan for your child

Good questions

Why can my child count to 20 but not add?

Saying numbers in order is different from knowing how many things there are. Practice counting objects one by one, and that the last number tells how many.

Should my child use fingers to add?

Yes, at first. Fingers are real things to count. Over time, many children start to remember small sums.

When should I worry about math?

If your child still cannot count small groups of objects reliably after steady practice, talk to the teacher.