5 Reasons Your Child Struggles with Maths

If your child finds maths frustrating or says they “hate” it, you’re not alone.
Research in Australia, the US, and the UK shows that a large number of children between the ages of 9 and 16 fall behind in maths — not because they’re “not smart enough,” but because of a mix of learning gaps, confidence issues, and the way the subject is taught.

The good news: as a parent, you can make a huge difference.
Here are five common reasons children struggle with maths, plus simple, research-backed ways you can help at home.

1. Weak Foundations and Learning Challenges

What’s happening:
Maths builds like a staircase — if one step is missing, it’s harder to climb higher. If your child has gaps in basics like multiplication facts, fractions, or place value, new topics feel impossible. Some children also face specific learning difficulties such as dyscalculia, or they may struggle with working memory or attention.

How you can help:

• Ask your child’s teacher to pinpoint any missing skills with a short assessment.
• Practise small chunks at a time — five minutes a day on one skill can work wonders.
• Use visual aids (number lines, fraction circles, counters) to make abstract ideas concrete.
• If you suspect a learning difficulty, request a professional assessment so you can access targeted support.

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2. Maths Anxiety and Low Confidence

What’s happening:
Maths anxiety is more than just disliking maths — it’s a real stress reaction. It can start in primary school, often after a bad test experience or feeling embarrassed in class. Anxious children often think, “I can’t do this” before they even try.

How you can help:

• Focus on effort, not just results — praise persistence and problem-solving.
• Avoid saying “I was bad at maths too” (it reinforces the idea that maths ability is fixed).
• Show how mistakes help learning — work through one together without pressure.
• Practise in low-stress situations (cooking, budgeting pocket money) to build confidence.

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3. How Maths Is Taught

What’s happening:
Some children lose interest because lessons feel like endless memorisation or don’t connect to real life. Pacing can also be a problem — too fast and they get lost, too slow and they lose focus.

How you can help:

• Talk to your child’s teacher about how topics are taught and ask for real-life examples you can use at home.
• Play number-based games or set small, real-world challenges (e.g., working out sale prices or sports scores).
• If your child is moving from primary to secondary school, ask for transition materials to bridge the jump in difficulty.
• Use online maths programs that adapt to your child’s level so they can learn at their own pace.

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4. Social Attitudes and Peer Influence

What’s happening:
Children pick up on what’s “cool” or “not cool” from friends, family, and media. If they hear that maths is boring, too hard, or “not for people like us,” they may stop trying. Gender stereotypes can also play a role — research shows girls often report more anxiety about maths even when they perform just as well as boys.

How you can help:

• Talk positively about maths at home — even in casual conversation.
• Share examples of people in all fields who use maths in interesting ways (scientists, designers, athletes).
• Encourage friendships and activities where learning is valued — maths clubs, coding groups, STEM challenges.
• Challenge stereotypes directly (“Maths isn’t for boys or girls — it’s for everyone who wants to solve problems”).

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5. Unequal Access to Support and Resources

What’s happening:
Not all children have the same opportunities. Some schools have fewer qualified teachers, larger classes, or less up-to-date resources. At home, some families can afford tutoring or extra tools — others can’t.

How you can help:

• Look for free resources: local libraries, community centres, online learning platforms.
• Organise short study sessions with classmates — peer learning is powerful.
• Ask the school if they run catch-up programs or lunchtime help sessions.
• If tutoring is too expensive, see if a local university offers mentoring from students studying maths or education.

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Final Thoughts for Parents

Your child’s struggle with maths is not a life sentence.
When you:

• Find and fill learning gaps,
• Reduce stress and build confidence,
• Show real-world relevance,
• Keep a positive attitude about learning,
• And help them access support…

…you give them the tools to succeed.

Maths ability isn’t fixed. With the right encouragement and opportunities, your child can move from “I can’t do this” to “I’m getting better at this every day.”

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