Primary School Aged Children Struggling With Key Stage 2 Maths

Maths can be a daunting and confusing subject to learn. It is a progressive subject, and once a child falls behind and struggles to understand certain Math topics, this leads to difficulties in learning more advanced Math.

It is vital that the foundations of Maths are understood fully (i.e. addition, multiplication, division, subtraction, fractions, units etc) to be able to progress to more difficult Maths.

Often parents have negative memories of Maths from their own school days, which lead them to feel inadequate as home tutors. You can help your child to learn Maths using various methods; you don't have to have an A-level in Maths, as has been highlighted by the Channel 4 program "Dispatches" in February this year.

Any methods you choose should be addressed in a calm and pleasant manner. Your child will not learn if he/she is upset or stressed. Learning should be a positive experience. Don't obsess about what your child cannot do. If a topic is proving difficult to learn, do not show your child that you are frustrated, just tell yourself and your child that that exercise brought them one step closer to understanding it and tackle it another day. Try to plan your home tutor lessons; it's not a good idea to plan a thirty-minute lesson when your child has just finished double Maths lesson at school.

If your child is finding a topic frustrating and is getting upset, take a short time-out. Fix him/her a drink and have a chat about something other than Maths. It's best not to allow any multimedia entertainment (such as TV, games) during the short break, as it may be difficult to get your child to re-focus upon the lesson.

Your child may bring home some Maths homework that you find difficult or can't remember how to solve. Don't panic! Take a look at the problems before you try to help your child. If there is an example available try to work out the problems yourself.

Purchasing educational software and workbooks can help tremendously, especially if you feel that your child doesn't receive enough homework or your child is struggling with Maths. Every lesson does count, providing that learning session is delivered in a calm and positive manner.

You can make a positive difference in your child's knowledge and with time and patience their Maths skills will flourish.

Please visit our website: for more information regarding Primary school maths.