Overcoming Common Math Struggles in Elementary Students

When Math Becomes a Battle

Every homeschool parent faces this moment: your child, who was happily learning math last week, suddenly hits a wall. Tears flow. Frustration builds. You wonder if something is wrong.

Relax. This is normal.

After teaching my son and connecting with other homeschool parents, I’ve learned that math struggles are:

Extremely common
Usually temporary
Often predictable
Almost always solvable

Let’s tackle the most common struggles and their solutions.

Struggle #1: Number Sense Issues

What It Looks Like:

Difficulty understanding “how many”
Counting objects gives different answers each time
Can’t tell if 7 is more than 5 without counting
No intuition about reasonable answers
Counting by rote without understanding

Why It Happens:

Number sense is the foundation of all math. Some children need more time to develop this fundamental skill.

Solutions That Work:

1. Concrete Counting Practice

Count everything: toys, snacks, steps, cars
Touch each object while counting
Move objects to a “counted” pile
Practice with 1-10 until mastery

2. Visual Number Relationships

Use dot patterns (like dice)
Show “5” always the same way
Compare quantities side-by-side
Play “more or less” games

3. Number Line Activities

Create a floor number line to walk on
Point to numbers while counting
Show distance between numbers
Practice finding “neighbors”

4. Subitizing Practice Subitizing = recognizing quantities without counting

Flash cards with dot patterns
Quick glances at small groups
Dice games
Build automatic recognition of 1-5

When to Use Worksheets:

Once they have concrete understanding, use AfterSchool worksheets for:

Picture counting exercises
“Circle the bigger number” activities
Simple comparison tasks

Timeline: Give this 4-6 weeks of daily 10-minute practice before moving on.

Struggle #2: Trouble Memorizing Math Facts

What It Looks Like:

Can’t recall 6+7 even after 100 repetitions
Uses fingers every single time
Gets different answers to the same problem
Becomes anxious during speed drills
Knows it one day, forgets the next

Why It Happens:

Attempting memorization before understanding
Too much too soon
Anxiety blocking retrieval
Learning style mismatch
Insufficient practice (or wrong kind of practice)

Solutions That Work:

1. Understand First, Memorize Second Never skip the “why” to get to the “what.”

For addition:

Use objects to show combinations
Draw pictures
Show on number lines
Explain the concept first

2. Use Strategies, Not Just Memorization

Instead of: “Just remember 8+7” Teach: “Make 10 first: 8+2=10, then add 5 more”

Common strategies:

Making 10
Doubles (6+6, 7+7)
Doubles plus/minus 1
Counting on from larger number

3. Practice in Small Chunks

Don’t tackle all addition facts at once!

Week 1: +1 facts Week 2: +2 facts Week 3: +3 facts Week 4: Review and mix

4. Multi-Sensory Memorization

Try different approaches:

Visual: Flashcards with colors
Auditory: Math fact songs and rhymes
Kinesthetic: Jump/clap while saying facts
Written: Timed practice sheets

5. Reduce Anxiety

Never time until they’re confident
Celebrate progress, not perfection
Make it a game, not a test
Show your own “mistakes”

Practice Recommendations:

5-10 minutes daily
Master small sets before adding more
Review previously learned facts weekly
Use AfterSchool worksheets for consistent practice

Key insight: Speed comes AFTER accuracy. Accuracy comes AFTER understanding.

Struggle #3: Word Problem Confusion

What It Looks Like:

Reads the problem, has no idea what to do
Asks “Is this plus or minus?”
Grabs numbers and guesses an operation
Gets overwhelmed by text
Can do computation but not application

Why It Happens:

Word problems require:

Reading comprehension
Problem visualization
Operation identification
Multi-step thinking
Real-world connection

Any weak link breaks the chain.

Solutions That Work:

1. Teach the Problem-Solving Process

Step 1: What do we know? Identify and list given information.

Step 2: What do we need to find? Circle or underline the question.

Step 3: What can we visualize? Draw a picture or diagram.

Step 4: What operation makes sense? Think about the action in the story.

Step 5: Solve and check Does the answer make sense?

2. Start with Very Simple Stories

Begin with obvious scenarios:

“You have 3 apples. I give you 2 more. How many now?”
Act it out with real objects
Draw each step
Write the equation together

3. Use a Consistent Visual Strategy

Bar models work brilliantly:

Draw a bar for the total
Divide into known parts
Show the unknown part

4. Read Aloud Together

Take turns reading
Define unfamiliar words
Retell in their own words
Ask: “What’s happening in this story?”

5. Connect to Real Life Create problems about their interests:

“You have 12 Pokemon cards…”
“We need to bake cookies for 6 people…”
“Your video game costs…”

Progression:

One-step problems with obvious operations
One-step problems with less obvious operations
Two-step problems
Problems with extra information
Problems with missing information

Don’t rush through these stages!

Struggle #4: Careless Errors

What It Looks Like:

Knows how to solve it but gets it wrong
Simple arithmetic mistakes
Misreads numbers (reads 6 as 9)
Copies numbers incorrectly
Skips steps
Doesn’t check work

Why It Happens:

Working too quickly
Lack of attention to detail
Poor number formation
Insufficient working space
Rushing to be “done”

Solutions That Work:

1. Slow Down

Quality over quantity
“Let’s do 5 problems carefully, not 20 quickly”
Use a timer to set a minimum time, not maximum

2. Teach Self-Checking

Circle and check method:

Do the problem
Circle the answer
Use inverse operation to check
Mark with checkmark if correct

3. Improve Workspace

Use graph paper for alignment
Provide more space between problems
Allow scratch paper
Teach neat number formation

4. Read It Twice “Read the problem twice before you start”

5. Focus on Process, Not Speed

Praise careful work
Don’t reward rushing
Model careful problem-solving yourself

Practice Strategy:

Better to complete 10 problems perfectly than 30 with frequent errors.

Struggle #5: Math Anxiety

What It Looks Like:

Tears before math time
“I can’t do this” before trying
Physical complaints (stomachache, etc.)
Avoidance behaviors
Shutting down when challenged
Erasing excessively

Why It Happens:

Previous negative experiences
Pressure to perform
Comparing to others
Parent anxiety transferred
Moving too fast

Solutions That Work:

1. Reset the Emotional Climate

Stop:

Timed tests
Comparisons
Showing frustration
Using math as punishment

Start:

Praising effort
Celebrating small wins
Making it playful
Showing your own struggles

2. Go Back to Confidence Level Temporarily return to material they can do successfully.

Goal: Rebuild “I can do math” feeling before advancing.

3. Use Confidence Builders

Start every session with an easy problem
End every session with success
Keep a “success journal”
Display completed work

4. Change the Environment

Different location
Different time of day
Include movement
Add music

5. Address Your Own Math Anxiety Children absorb our feelings.

Instead of: “I was bad at math too” Try: “Math can be tricky, but we can figure it out together”

Recovery Timeline:

Healing math anxiety takes weeks or months. Be patient.

Struggle #6: Place Value Confusion

What It Looks Like:

Reads “23” as “twenty-three” but thinks it’s 2 and 3
Can’t explain what the “3” means in “37”
Struggles with regrouping (carrying/borrowing)
Adds numbers digit by digit without regard to place
Confused by zeros (30, 103, etc.)

Why It Happens:

Place value is abstract and foundational. Weak understanding here causes problems for years.

Solutions That Work:

1. Use Base-Ten Blocks Physical representation is crucial:

Units (ones) = single cubes
Rods (tens) = stick of 10
Flats (hundreds) = sheet of 100

Build every two-digit number this way.

2. Expanded Form Practice Write 47 as:

40 + 7
4 tens and 7 ones
10+10+10+10+1+1+1+1+1+1+1

3. Place Value Charts Create a simple chart:

Hundreds | Tens | Ones
    3    |  4   |  7

4. Number Line Jumps Show that 34 to 35 is different than 34 to 44.

5. Money Connection

Dimes = tens
Pennies = ones
Count money to understand place value

Don’t move to multi-digit operations until place value is solid!

Struggle #7: Can’t Sit Still for Math

What It Looks Like:

Constant movement
Fidgeting
Getting up repeatedly
Looking around
Difficulty focusing on worksheet

Why It Happens:

Some children (especially kinesthetic learners) need movement to think.

Solutions That Work:

1. Accept Movement as Part of Learning This isn’t misbehavior - it’s how they process!

2. Incorporate Movement

Stand at a counter instead of sitting
Walk while skip counting
Use manipulatives
Take movement breaks every 10 minutes

3. Shorten Sessions

3 sessions of 10 minutes > 1 session of 30 minutes
Break between problem sets
Mix subjects

4. Fidget Tools

Stress ball in non-writing hand
Foot fidgets under desk
Gum (if they can handle it)
Textured paper

5. Make It Physical

Math hopscotch
Throwing bean bags at number targets
Building with blocks
Measuring actual objects

This often improves with age. Be patient!

Creating a Support System

Daily Check-In Questions:

What was easy today?
What was hard?
How did you feel?
What helped you?
What do you want to try tomorrow?

Weekly Review:

What did we master?
What needs more practice?
What should we adjust?

Monthly Assessment:

Progress made
Persistent struggles
New strategies to try
Wins to celebrate

When to Get Professional Help

Consider evaluation if:

Struggles persist despite consistent effort
Child is significantly behind grade level
Multiple areas of difficulty
Increasing anxiety despite support
Physical signs (headaches, stomachaches)
Regression in skills

Possible issues to explore:

Dyscalculia (math learning disability)
Working memory issues
Processing speed delays
Vision or attention concerns

Early intervention makes a huge difference!

Your Role as Teacher

Do:

Stay calm and patient
Celebrate small progress
Try multiple approaches
Give it time
Seek help when needed

Don’t:

Compare to siblings/other children
Show frustration
Rush through struggles
Give up on understanding
Transfer your own math anxiety

Tools for Success

Physical Tools:

Manipulatives (blocks, counters, coins)
Number lines
Graph paper
Visual aids

Practice Tools:

AfterSchool worksheets customized to your child’s level
Math games
Real-world activities
Multi-sensory activities

Emotional Tools:

Patience
Encouragement
Breaks when needed
Perspective

Final Encouragement

Math struggles are:

Normal: Most children hit bumps
Temporary: With support, most improve
Solvable: The right approach makes the difference
Not a reflection of intelligence: Einstein struggled with arithmetic!

Your child can learn math. They just might need:

More time
Different approach
Specific support
Patient guidance

You’ve got this, and so do they!

Next Steps

Identify your child’s specific struggle
Try 2-3 suggested solutions
Give it 2-3 weeks
Adjust based on results
Celebrate progress!

Need targeted practice for specific struggles? Generate customized worksheets at AfterSchool that match exactly where your child is!

Questions about your specific situation? Reach out - I’d love to help problem-solve with you!