Supporting your child with maths: challenges and how to overcome them

As a parent, helping your child with mathematics can feel like navigating a maze. You want to provide support, but perhaps you’re unsure of the best approach — or maybe it’s been years since you last solved a quadratic equation yourself. Supporting your child’s learning at home can be rewarding, but it comes with its challenges. Let’s explore some of these challenges and how you can approach them effectively.

Challenge 1: Bridging the knowledge gap

For many parents, maths has changed since their school days. Modern curriculums introduce concepts like set notation or matrix transformations that may feel unfamiliar. This knowledge gap can make explaining concepts tricky and leave you feeling unprepared to help.

Example: Imagine your child comes home struggling with “long division” using a method you’ve never seen before. When you show them the technique you learned, they respond, “That’s not how we do it at school!” This can lead to frustration for both of you, making homework time a battle rather than a learning opportunity.

Solution: Start by learning alongside your child. Many schools provide online resources or guides explaining the methods they use. Platforms like YouTube offer tutorials for nearly every mathematical concept, and online tools like Desmos or Khan Academy can help you refresh your understanding. Instead of teaching your method, show curiosity about theirs, saying, “Let’s figure this out together.”

Challenge 2: Building confidence without pressure

Mathematics is often associated with anxiety, and your child might feel discouraged if they struggle with a particular topic. This can lead to comments like, “I’m just not good at maths,” or worse, a complete avoidance of the subject.

Example: Your child has a maths test coming up, and they’re stuck on fractions. Despite your encouragement, they burst into tears, insisting they’ll fail. You try to reassure them by saying, “It’s just one test!” But instead of calming them, they feel unheard.

Solution: Empathy and small wins are key. Acknowledge their feelings with statements like, “I can see this is frustrating. Let’s take it one step at a time.” Start with simple examples to build their confidence. For fractions, this might mean dividing a pizza into equal parts and showing how fractions work in a tangible way. Celebrate progress, no matter how small — it reinforces a growth mindset.

Challenge 3: Time constraints

With busy schedules, finding time to sit down and work through maths problems with your child can be difficult. Homework may feel like an added chore at the end of a long day, leaving both you and your child feeling drained.

Example: Your child comes home with several pages of maths exercises, but you have dinner to prepare, emails to catch up on, and younger siblings to look after. You want to help but can’t dedicate the focused time they need.

Solution: Quality over quantity. Even 15–20 minutes of focused attention can make a difference. Schedule a regular “maths time” that works for both of you, and use that time effectively. Tools like flashcards, quick problem-solving games, or maths apps can make practice feel less like a task and more like fun.

Challenge 4: Breaking down complex concepts

Maths often builds on itself, so if a child misses a foundational idea, they might struggle later. Explaining advanced concepts like algebra or geometry can be daunting, especially if your child gets overwhelmed.

Example: Your child is learning about variables in algebra but can’t seem to grasp the idea that letters can represent numbers. They repeatedly ask, “Why do we need letters in maths?” and you’re unsure how to explain it without confusing them further.

Solution: Start with concrete examples. Use real-life scenarios to explain abstract concepts. For instance, if you’re solving for “x,” frame it as a mystery: “Imagine we’re detectives trying to figure out how many apples we need to balance this equation.” Visual aids, like graphs or diagrams, can also make abstract ideas more tangible.

Challenge 5: Avoiding Comparisons

In a classroom, children often compare themselves to their peers, and parents sometimes do the same without realising it. While it’s natural to want your child to excel, comparisons — especially with siblings or classmates — can hurt their self-esteem.

Example: You hear that another child in their class is excelling at maths, and you unknowingly say, “See, Emily finished her worksheet quickly. If you focus, you can, too.” While well-meaning, such comparisons can make your child feel inadequate.

Solution: Focus on your child’s individual progress. Highlight their strengths, and remind them that everyone learns at their own pace. Statements like, “I’m proud of how hard you’re working,” shift the focus from competition to effort.

When to Seek Additional Help

Sometimes, the best way to support your child is by recognising when they need outside help. A professional maths tutor or coach can provide personalised guidance, identify gaps in understanding, and help them build confidence in a structured way.

Example: Your child struggles consistently with geometry, and despite your efforts, the frustration persists. A tutor can approach the topic from a fresh perspective, tailoring lessons to your child’s needs.

Take a look at my in-depth post exploring the key situations where hiring a mathematics coach can make a meaningful difference.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your child in mathematics doesn’t mean having all the answers — it means being patient, curious, and willing to learn together. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and remember that the goal isn’t just to solve problems but to nurture a positive attitude toward maths.

By approaching these challenges with empathy and strategy, you can transform maths from a source of frustration into an opportunity for growth — for both you and your child.

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