When a child first starts to struggle in math, most parents do what feels reasonable: watch, wait, and hope it’s just a phase that will correct itself. The hard truth is that in math, “wait and see” often turns small cracks into deep gaps that are harder to close later. While it is easy to dismiss elementary school math as something kids can just “get through”, actual mastery of these math skills are some of the strongest predictors of later academic and professional success.
Here are some things you can do to take a proactive approach to making sure your child isn’t falling behind in math…
🔍 Make sure your child isn’t suffering from math anxiety
Kids often freeze, avoid math, or get emotional, not because they can’t do it, but because anxiety blocks learning. When kids are anxious, it tends
to drop their ability to process and perform on math related tasks by 15%
⏳ Notice if your child avoids math homework or procrastinates excessively
Avoidance of math homework can often be confusion or the feeling of being overwhelmed in disguise.
💬 Watch for sudden drops in confidence or comparisons to peers
Statements like “I’m bad at math” or “Everyone is faster than me at multiplication” may be indicators of a drop in math confidence and a need for some intervention.
📘 Check whether your child struggles with multi-step word problems
Multi-step word problems, often which are presented in 4th grade, are a key test of conceptual understanding. This is often the first time that students need to do math facts, translate stories into problem sets, and slow down enough to figure out which step they take first. If multi-step word problems cause frustration, this is a good indicator that your child may need more support.
🧑🏫 Notice if your child needs constant help with homework
When parents have to “translate” what teachers are bringing up in class or assigning, it often means that a child may have some gaps in their foundation OR gaps in their confidence to independently do the work.
The most important thing you can do right now is simply not wait. To help get you on the path to success, fill out the Wonder Math Assessment.
References:
Barroso, C., Ganley, C. M., McGraw, A. L., Geer, E. A., Hart, S. A., & Daucourt, M. C. (2020). A meta-analysis of the relation between math anxiety and math achievement.
Psychological Bulletin, 147(2), 134–168. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000307
