15 Challenges Learners Face in Understanding Mathematics, and How to Overcome Them
The Early Struggle Is Real; understand this before rejecting that maths online tutorial.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—math is scary for many kids. That fear usually starts early and grows with every bad experience or failed test. The moment a child feels like they’re “not good at math,” they start to shut down.
This Is Why You Probably Always Failed in Mathematics – It Was Never Your Fault
The Myth of the “Math Brain”
You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m just not a math person.” This idea is a myth, and a dangerous one. Believing math ability is innate discourages effort and growth. Kids start thinking, “If I’m not born with it, what’s the point in trying?”
Solution: We should reinforce that math skills grow through practice, just like reading or playing an instrument.
Speed is NOT same as Smart
In early math classes, the fastest kid with their hand up is often labeled “the smartest.” But true understanding takes time. Some children think more deeply and need a few extra seconds to respond—but those seconds can hold gold. When we rush kids, we sacrifice depth for speed, and label thoughtful learners as slow or weak.
Solution: Allow more time for learners to cover a topic in-depth. Instead of looking for kids that can answer 20 questions in 10 minutes, focus on helping learners to understand it enough to answer the questions. It is better to cover one topic in two weeks, instead of two topics in one week.
The Grading Trap
Standard grading systems punish unique thinking. A child who solves a problem using an unconventional but valid method might be marked wrong. Worse, grades often reflect how well a student performs under pressure, not how well they understand a concept. This erodes confidence in students who think differently but have great potential.
Solution: Grade the ability of a learner to think, not just to get correct answers
Your Brain Wasn’t ‘Bad at Math’ — It Was Just Bored to Death
Repetition Without Purpose
Kids are often assigned page after page of the same type of math problem. This turns learning into a chore. Repetition has its place, but only when it’s meaningful. Think of it like practicing basketball – you don’t just shoot from one spot over and over; you vary your drills.
Solution: In math, variety builds mastery.
Lack of Sensory Stimulation
Many children, especially in early grades, learn best when they can touch, see, and move. Abstract equations on a whiteboard are not enough. Math manipulatives (blocks, shapes, coins), colorful visuals, or physical movement (like counting steps or jumping on number lines) make math tangible.
Solution: Use visual aids
No Connection to Interests
Why would a kid care about “x” and “y” if they don’t know why it matters? When math is tied to a child’s interests; like building LEGO structures, tracking video game stats, or baking – it comes alive. Suddenly, it is not just numbers; it’s their world, explained with logic.
Solution: Help learners to relate to the problem they are to solve
The School System Set You Up to Struggle — And It Still Does
One-Pace-Fits-All Curriculum
Every classroom moves forward at the same pace, regardless of how many kids are actually keeping up. If a student doesn’t grasp multiplication but the class moves on to division, they’re stuck. And every new topic builds on the last. Without time to catch up, these students silently sink further behind.
Solution: Either break the class into groups according to abilities, or wait for the majority of the class to catch up.
Standardized Testing Obsession
To meet test benchmarks, teachers often teach to the test. That means drilling formulas and algorithms, often with little explanation or creativity. While scores might go up, deeper understanding plummets. Kids are being trained to perform, not to think.
Solution: Learners should be helped to understand the logic behind steps.
Neglect of Conceptual Mastery
Conceptual understanding means truly knowing why something works, not just how to do it. Schools often race through topics to cover more ground, leaving little time for kids to explore the “why.” Without this foundation, everything becomes a fragile house of cards.
Solution: Learners should be helped to understand the logic behind formulars.
Maybe You Hated Math Because It Never Respected Your Imagination
Storytelling Is Absent
Humans learn through stories. Yet, math is rarely told like a story. Why not introduce fractions through a baking challenge, or geometry through designing a dream bedroom? When math becomes part of a narrative, kids connect with it emotionally—and that connection is powerful.
Solution: The best way to learn is hands-on experience. Help learners get personal with Mathematiccs.
Play Is Treated as a Distraction
Play is one of the best ways to learn. Games, puzzles, and playful challenges develop logic, number sense, and problem-solving skills. But in many classrooms, play is seen as frivolous.
Solution: Reimagining math as a playground, not a prison, could reignite a child’s love for learning.
Each of these perspectives shines a light on how math struggles are rarely the student’s fault. More often, they’re rooted in systems, attitudes, and environments that simply don’t support the diversity of ways children think and learn. At The KJOHNSONS ACADEMY, we shift the narrative—from blame to understanding—we open doors for every child to thrive in math