How to Help Teens That Struggle with Math

Math struggles are a common issue worldwide. For teens struggling with math, the reasons are different, referring to disruptions in learning or a poor understanding. In other cases, kids may simply see no reason or application in studying math more deeply. 

Wonder how to provide math help for teens? Explore important study strategies from making math relatable to math tuition online. As the teens are different, the best approach is to identify their needs and approach with a strategy that will help at the core.

Insert real-world scenarios when practicing

Teens look at math problems and find them irrelevant and confusing. They sometimes cannot see how or why math is used. Absence of context is a big factor in making teens give up on a problem. Thus, using real-world scenarios can be a real math help for teens, making learning meaningful and interesting. 

The scenarios should connect theory to practice and encourage kids to apply math skills. The good examples are asking a teen to help plan a road trip by calculating distances or fuel costs, figuring out how much time it may take, or finding the best sale at the store. 

The goal of a parent is to show that math is a tool for real problems. To implement it, you can look for activities that teens struggling with math would enjoy. These activities include cooking, video games, sports stats, and hobbies.

Build confidence in math with Brighterly’s step-by-step strategies

Lack of confidence is one of the reasons why teens are behind in learning, including math, reading, and writing. Thus, building confidence with a tutor is key for a struggling teen. 

The Brighterly math program is a great example of a step-by-step tutoring approach to math lessons that parents should consider. Its professional tutors aim to provide personalized learning programs for students, focusing on interactive elements, engagement, and specific needs. 

That way, the teens struggling with math can gradually hone their math skills and later move on their own. 

The key features of the Brighterly method

• Hands-on problem-solving exercises. Brighterly tutors lead interactive lessons with support and guidance. They offer real situations and break problems into small steps to keep teens engaged.
• Adaptive learning customized to each teen. Tutors develop math programs to meet the teens’ needs and grade level. It allows adapting lessons and focusing on weak parts, slowing down when necessary, or revisiting previous parts without pressure. 
• Progress tracking and extra resources. In addition to interactive lessons, the tutors offer feedback to parents. Also, the platform offers tons of resources for after-class activity. That way, teens continue learning effectively after the class with a parent.

Leverage visual maps and other types of aids

Another source of trouble for teens struggling with math lies in the complexity of problems and a lack of understanding. There, children can struggle while reading equations or comprehending the materials.

In these cases, parents should try to teach with the help of visual aids or maps. Charts, graphs, and drawings can help kids understand the flow and show the solution. As the brain processes diagrams and visual maps faster than text, it helps teens to understand the materials.

How can a parent apply visual aids to offer math help for teens? 

• Use a diagram or color-coded chart to illustrate the equation. 
• Apply bar graphs to help compare data.
• Introduce mind maps and spider diagrams to link ideas 

Such an approach allows show the connections between related ideas, break concepts into pieces, and highlight how formulas work. It helps to remember information and retain ideas.

Break down the math concept 

Another reason for a struggle with math lies in the complexity of the topics. Tackling the whole concept at once can feel overwhelming for a teen. For teens struggling with math because of this, the right strategy contemplates teaching topics step by step, or piece by piece. 

In particular, solving a multi-step algebra problem may feel too hard. In that case, a parent can practice with a kid solving simpler one-step equations. Taking baby steps will give a teen confidence. Later, a parent can add steps. 

In this case, a math help for teens is concerned with the framework and guiding a teen on how to solve each part of the complicated topic that overwhelms them. Dealing with it chunk by chunk will make the whole process less stressful. 

You can resort to new math principles that imply showing and explaining how to approach math problems. For instance, show how to identify the operation to use, then set it up, and then calculate. 

Remember to follow your teen’s pace and continue only when you are sure that they have a firm foundation.  

Create and develop a learning environment for the kids’ needs

Lastly, any parent knows that teens learn differently, and one-size-fits-all strategies often don’t work for teens struggling with math. It means that you should help them customize an approach to learning. It refers to tasks, daily math routines, and the environment. 

When approaching math problems, provide tools that suit their learning style. You can use:

• Different videos and hands-on objects.
• Focus on weak areas and specific struggles. 
• Use personalization so that they are more engaged.

Besides, try to establish a setting that encourages teens’ focus. The reason is that a supportive environment helps performance. 

How to offer math help for teens?

• Integrate math vocabulary into the setting so that teens can use it.
• Use math word walls and flashcards to help comprehend key terms.
• Add visuals and concept maps for complicated tasks and interactive lessons.
• Ensure that the workspace is clear and has the necessary tools.

In the end, customizing materials and the learning environment can support teens in their struggle and feel less stressed or overwhelmed. 

Conclusion

The math concepts can be confusing and abstract for teens struggling with math. It affects the confidence and thus the development.

To offer math help for teens, parents can use personalized tutoring or math programs from tutors. At home, they can also integrate real-world scenarios for practicing math, use visual aids, or break concepts into smaller steps. All of this affects their motivation, reduces stress, and improves comprehension.

Lastly, another vital point is the environment. Make it supportive and back learning with personalization. That way, teens will immerse themselves in math vocabulary and stay more focused.

Also read:

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Image credit: Unsplash, Greg Rosenke