Why some children struggle with math

claim

Every child, if they start learning math at the right time, when they are naturally ready for it, will not struggle with math.

I can’t prove it. But I can tell you that it’s consistent with my experience with hundreds of children. Additionally, it’s consistent with the findings of the Sudbury Valley School, where there are no formal lessons.

Conclusion

If a child struggles with math, it’s a sign that they started learning it before they were ready.

At what age are children ready to learn math?

Let’s take a look, for example, at the distribution of ages at which children can solve problems without having to count on their fingers or objects.

  • 5 years old: 10%
  • 6 years old: 25%
  • 7 years old: 50%
  • 8 years old: 75%
  • 9 years old: 90%
  • 10 years old: 100%

Do you see the gap between reality and what is required of children?

The outcome of premature learning.

  • Feelings of inadequacy
  • Frustration
  • Psychological barriers to math

So, what do we do

  1. Understand that they don’t have a congenital problem. 
  2. Help them build self-confidence in math.

Thank you for reading,

Ami

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