If your child is having trouble completing their math homework, they are not unlike their peers. Four out of five students in Saskatoon have difficulties with math, especially as they progress through the higher grades. Math is a cumulative subject where knowledge builds on the last concept taught. This means that the foundational knowledge in each concept is built upon with more complex concepts as the class progresses through each topic. Every year, your child will review basic concepts and apply them to new concepts learned in class. This means that if your child gets behind or has gaps in their understanding, it can be very difficult to catch up or to continue progressing without getting some help.
Math homework help can be a game-changer for your child. Getting help in the areas they do not understand is critical to them being able to move forward at the same pace as their peers. It is usually best to hire a tutor for math homework help so you can ensure you have found someone who is up to date on the current curriculum and ways of handling certain concepts. Before you hire a math tutor, here are our top 6 tips to help your child with math homework:
1. Remain calm. If your child is already frustrated, they need you to be calm and collected so you feel like a supportive resource, not adding additional frustration and pressure to the situation.
2. Find the underlying cause of the problem. What is it that your child fundamentally doesn’t understand in the homework they are doing? The concept that they are not understanding or don’t know how to apply properly is usually what is holding them back.
3. Set aside focused time to work with your child so they (and you) have little to no distractions. Working on challenging homework requires focus and effort, so make sure you create the right space and tone to work on it from the beginning.
4. Discover your child’s unique learning style. You may be a visual learner, but your child needs more tactile learning methods. Figure out how they learn best and adapt how you are coaching them so they can best digest what you are trying to teach them.
5. Let your child show you what they are struggling with and explain what part of the homework doesn’t make sense to them. Carefully observe what they are negative about, where they have strengths and what holds them up.
6. If all else fails, consider hiring math homework help for your child. A qualified math tutor can support them with all of these tips and techniques, plus they are up to date on the current curriculum. They are able to relate to your child’s classroom experience and “speak their language”.
Hiring math homework help is a very efficient way to ensure your child gets the homework support they need, but we would caution hiring someone that is only there to get your child through their homework. You should be looking for help that can diagnose the foundational knowledge your child is missing, fill in the gaps and empower your child to move forward with confidence.
