Breaking Down Barriers: How to Support Struggling Math Students

30 May 2025

Mathematics has long been considered a challenging subject. For some students, numbers and equations come naturally, but for others, math feels like an unsolvable puzzle. If you're a parent, teacher, or tutor, you've likely seen students struggle with math and wonder how to help them.

But here's the thing: Struggling in math doesn’t mean a student isn’t smart. It just means they need the right support, strategies, and encouragement to succeed. In this article, we’ll discuss why students struggle and what we can do to help them break down the barriers between them and math success.

Why Do Students Struggle with Math?

Before jumping into solutions, we need to understand why some students find math so difficult. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about "not being a math person." Several factors contribute to math struggles.

1. Fear of Failure and Anxiety

Math anxiety is real. Some students get so nervous about making mistakes that they freeze up and avoid math altogether. This fear can come from negative experiences, pressure to perform, or a lack of confidence.

2. Lack of Strong Foundations

Math builds on itself. If a student misses key concepts early on, they’ll struggle with more advanced topics later. Gaps in foundational skills—like understanding fractions or multiplication—can make higher-level math feel impossible.

3. Learning Differences

Some students have learning disabilities like dyscalculia, which affects their ability to process numbers. Others might struggle with memory retention, making it hard to recall formulas or steps to solve problems.

4. Teaching Methods That Don’t Match Their Learning Style

Every student learns differently. Some need hands-on activities, while others prefer visual explanations. If instruction doesn’t align with a student’s learning style, they might have trouble grasping concepts.

5. Lack of Real-World Connections

Math often feels abstract and disconnected from everyday life. When students don’t see how math applies to the real world, they may lose motivation to learn.

How to Support Struggling Math Students

Now that we know why students struggle, let’s talk about how to help. Spoiler alert: It’s not about drilling endless worksheets or forcing memorization. Instead, successful math support focuses on encouragement, engagement, and creative strategies.

1. Create a Positive Math Environment

If a student believes they’re bad at math, they’ll approach it with fear and frustration. The first step is changing their mindset.

- Encourage a growth mindset: Remind students that intelligence isn’t fixed. The brain is like a muscle—it grows stronger with practice.
- Celebrate small wins: Even minor improvements should be acknowledged. Progress is progress!
- Remove fear of mistakes: Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re learning opportunities. Normalize errors as part of the learning process.

2. Identify and Fill Foundational Gaps

If a student is struggling with algebra, it might not be the algebra itself—it could be missing multiplication skills from years ago.

- Assess where the gaps are. Work on those basics before moving forward.
- Use online math tools and apps that allow students to practice foundational skills in a fun way.

3. Make Math Engaging and Fun

Let’s be real—traditional math drills can be a snooze-fest. Math doesn’t have to be boring!

- Use math games and puzzles to reinforce concepts in an enjoyable way.
- Incorporate real-life math: Have students calculate discounts while shopping, measure ingredients while cooking, or track their own savings.
- Introduce story problems: Relating math to real-world scenarios makes it more meaningful.

4. Use Visual Aids and Hands-On Activities

Some students struggle with abstract numbers, but visualizing math can make a huge difference.

- Use graphs, charts, and diagrams to explain concepts.
- Give them manipulatives (like blocks, beads, or fraction tiles) to make math more tangible.
- Show step-by-step solutions with color-coded breakdowns.

5. Adjust Teaching Methods to Match Learning Styles

Every student learns differently. Some are visual learners, while others learn best through hands-on activities.

- For visual learners: Use videos, drawings, and color-coded notes.
- For auditory learners: Explain concepts out loud and encourage them to talk through problems.
- For kinesthetic learners: Try interactive lessons, hands-on work, or movement-based learning.

6. Encourage Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Instead of focusing only on memorization, teach students to think critically.

- Ask open-ended questions like, "How would you solve this differently?"
- Teach multiple ways to solve a problem and let students choose what makes sense to them.
- Encourage students to explain their thought process—it helps solidify their understanding.

7. Provide Extra Support and Patience

Some students just need a little extra help.

- Offer one-on-one tutoring if possible.
- Use resources like YouTube tutorials, math apps, or online practice platforms for additional support.
- Be patient! Every student progresses at their own pace.

8. Incorporate Technology and Online Resources

Technology makes math more interactive and accessible.

- Math apps like Khan Academy, Prodigy, or Photomath offer step-by-step explanations.
- Interactive websites like Desmos (for graphing) or Mathway (for solving problems) can make math easier to grasp.
- Online math games and quizzes keep learning engaging.

9. Build Math Confidence Through Real-Life Success

One of the best ways to help struggling students is to show them they already use math in daily life.

- Have them track their own expenses or create a budget.
- Let them help cook using measurements and conversions.
- Play logic-based games like Sudoku or strategy board games.

10. Stay Consistent and Keep It Low-Stress

Consistency is key. But that doesn’t mean forcing hours of math every day.

- Set realistic goals and work on math in small, manageable chunks.
- Create a study routine that keeps math practice regular but low-stress.
- Keep expectations flexible—progress looks different for every student.

Final Thoughts

Math struggles can be frustrating, but they’re not permanent. With the right support, every student can build confidence and improve their math skills. It’s all about patience, encouragement, and creative ways to make math less intimidating.

If you're helping a struggling math student, remember: It’s not about being “good” or “bad” at math. It’s about growing, practicing, and finding what works best for them.

So, let’s break down those barriers and make math something students can tackle with confidence!