Worried about your math skills?

Don't worry, there are many different ways to improve your math skills, and usually it's just a matter of finding the best way to think about and practice a new skill or math concept.

Try some of these approaches:

•  Practice with drill sheets (like times table practice sheets) and flash cards,

• tackle plenty of word problems,

• try out a math game or two (there are many made for the computer),

•  and ask your parents and teachers for help finding real life activities and situations that help you practice your math skills. 

• You might even find you're one of those people who remembers your  math facts better if it's put to music, or if you can make a model or drawing of the problem you're working on.  

• Find someone to talk to!   If your current math teacher isn't making things clear for you, maybe you need a tutor -- or a different teacher.   Not everyone teaches or explains math in the same way.  Someone with a different approach might help you get unstuck.

• If you're really struggling, talk with a parent or teacher about diagnosing whether you may have a special learning challenge (such as dyslexia, auditory processing, or etc.).  Your local school counselor may be able to refer your family to helpful resources.  But another option is the services of the folks at Lindamood Bell.   Although very expensive they do offer amazing assessment and training methods that drastically change lives of children and teens for the better.

Remember, if you just can't get a new math skill now, give it time!  You will find that when you're a little older the same math stuff that used to totally confuse you can suddenly make sense. 

The reason for this is that, just as your body is still growing and developing, so is your brain!  It's a proven fact that it's just easier to make sense of multiplication when you're 12 or 13 years old than when you are 8 or 9 years old.  This has to do with developing the ability to think about abstract concepts.

So be patient, and whatever you do, just don't give up.  And never -- EVER -- tell yourself, "I'm just not good at math."   Just remember that it may take a little time and finding the right way of looking at the concept that's giving you trouble.   In time you'll be amazed that it ever seemed so hard to you.

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