How To Make Maths Learning Easy For Slow Learners?

Teaching maths to a slow learner can be quite challenging. It’s not that slow learners do not understand maths, they do, but at a slower pace compared to the average student. They also require more time and consistent practice. Some even keep forgetting the concepts that have been taught earlier, making it difficult to proceed further with the syllabus. Sometimes you may even feel like you are going backward, and that can be quite frustrating. But the good news is with regular practice and creative teaching methods your child can definitely become good at maths. Here are some tips to make math learning easy for a slow learner.

Stepwise learning

Slow learners require a stepwise teaching methodology. This means that you cannot skip any part of any concept and you may also have to repeat some parts to make sure your child has understood everything clearly. Step by step teaching means breaking down the concept of maths in easy to understand ways and making your child practice accordingly. So you need to move step by step from counting numbers to adding one digit numbers using pictures to adding one digit numbers directly and so on.  For example, to teach the addition of numbers you will have to teach using maths worksheets for grade 1 with pictures. Similarly, to teach counting you can ask your child to color the pictures according to a given number.

Repeat basic concepts

Most slow learners forget what has been taught earlier, so you may have to start with the basic concepts again. For instance, if your child is in class 2 you may have to start again with basic maths taught in class 1. The best way to understand what your child remembers from the previous class is to get some maths worksheets for grade 1 and ask your child to solve them. Now if your child is unable to recall how to add two-digit numbers, you will have to explain the addition of one digit numbers again, make your child practice that and then move on to the addition of two digit numbers.

Consistent practice over a period of time will help your child understand and remember the concepts that have already been taught. For example, once the concept of addition and subtraction have been done, make sure your child practices at least two to three sums every day to ensure that he or she is able to remember how to solve such problems. You can simultaneously keep teaching the next concept as per the syllabus, but practicing basic operations will make sure that your child has enough practice and does not forget it.

Short time span

Most kids have difficulty paying attention for a long duration of time and slow learners are no different. The best way to ensure consistent learning is to have shorter study times. Every child is different and you may have to see how long your child can sit at a stretch. So you may want your child to sit at least for an hour but it is likely that he or she may zone out after half an hour, making it frustrating for you to continue for the next half hour. Most kids start making excuses once they start zoning out, asking for water or food or something else that might give them a reason to stop studying. As soon as you see that your child s zoning out it is better to take a break and start again in a short while. By now you probably know how many worksheets your child can work on at a time, so plan accordingly.

A good option is to give activity based maths worksheets for grade 1. These worksheets have picture and puzzles, which make math learning easy and enjoyable.

The key to teaching slow learners is to keep encouraging them despite not doing so well in academics. Above all, you need to have patience and give your child time to understand the concepts at his or her own pace. Get FREE subscription of 3 month today!