Guide to Choosing an Effective Math Learning Center

Learning mathematics requires time, patience and the ability to perform specific actions in the correct sequence. That’s why choosing a math learning center is important for parents who want their kids to enjoy math – or at least, not struggle with math.

Ideally, parents and teachers develop in children a strong foundation of math skills, where they master the basics. That’s why schools stress that kids need to learn multiplication tables before they begin long division; knowing simple math facts makes more complicated problems easier.

The good news is there are centers available to help kids enjoy math while building a strong academic foundation. So, where should you begin to find a math learning center that’s right for your child?

What Is a Math Learning Center?

Let’s start with the basics: A math learning center is where children can go for intensive math education that is tailored to their skill level. In many cases, these centers are owned and operated by local business owners.

In some cases, these programs are for preschoolers who are just starting to count; in others, they are after-school programs for students who either need additional (outside of school) help to learn math or who have a high interest in math and wish to get ahead and excel. Some programs can take children from counting to calculus.

For preschoolers, a math learning center curriculum often begins with counting and number recognition, ensuring students understand the correlation between the number five, for instance, and a picture of five dogs. They practice writing the numeral 5 and drawing five shapes. For school-aged children, a learning center might first ensure the student is working well at their own grade level. For learning centers that provide math enrichment, the curriculum can help students work to get ahead of their peers in school.

How Do Math Centers Work?

Math centers may assess students to gauge their current skill level, regardless of their school grade. This way, your child can begin with what’s comfortable for them.

For preschoolers, the assessment should determine whether they are academically ready for kindergarten. Can they count to 10 or 20? Do they already know their numbers? Can they write their numbers? If the children are not ready for kindergarten, then helping them get prepared will be the primary goal. If they already possess the basic math skills needed for kindergarten, then a center can challenge them to hone those skills or begin working on kindergarten-level skills.

For school-age students, the priority is to help a child who’s struggling make up ground so they can work on the appropriate grade level. Otherwise, a student who is behind may have difficulty, or take a long time, to catch up because they are so lacking necessary skills. This is the problem that public schools face: Because they must teach to a specific curriculum, students who fall behind stay behind (without outside help), and kids who are ahead are not challenged and get bored.

One advantage of math learning centers is that they don’t necessarily follow the academic calendar. Most operate during the summer holidays, which is a huge advantage to students who otherwise might lose ground over the summer. Additionally, whether operated by a public school system or a private business, math centers have the flexibility to meet students where they are and create a personalized learning plan. The centers may even start students at a slightly easier level to help kids get comfortable with the program and build up their confidence before moving on to harder concepts.

In most cases, students attend a math learning center for several hours or several days per week to receive help from an instructor. Many centers have classes available online and in person. On the other days, the centers may give homework and children practice the concepts they are learning on their own.

Some centers have programs designed to grow with your child. At those centers, your child could attend the program through elementary school, middle school or even until they are in high school.

Why Do Many Kids Struggle in Math?

Math can seem hard for several reasons: Math concepts build on previously learned concepts; math problems often involve multiple steps that you have to take in a very specific order; and math anxiety further complicates the issue.

Building blocks:

Everything students learn in math builds on something they have learned previously – or should have learned previously. If your child misses a lesson or doesn’t understand a concept, however, that will make learning the next concept even more difficult. The problems continue to compound as the math concepts get more complicated.

 That’s why it’s important for students to master each concept before moving to the next one. It’s normal for children to experience some level of challenge when encountering new math concepts. The key to overcoming these challenges is giving students the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, ask questions and practice a concept until they are confident and accurate.

Keeping order:

Do you remember learning the order of operations? Parents who learned math a generation or so ago probably still have to recite this mnemonic device to know what to do: “Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally.” That’s supposed to help you remember to tackle parentheses first, then exponents, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. In recent years, teachers have steered away from that phrase because it is flawed in that it doesn’t state that you solve from left to right for multiplication and division, and for addition and subtraction.

The order in which a student solves a problem can make a huge difference, and it also can lead to huge frustration … which can lead to a child thinking he or she is just “bad at math.”

Cyclical anxiety:

When a child struggles with math early on and is told, “You’re just not a math person,” they tend to accept that math is just too hard for them and they’re never going to be good at it. Those students may develop math anxiety, which stands in the way of them learning math by continually increasing their anxiety level.

Although some people may understand math concepts more readily than others, the fact is learning math actually requires practice and patience.

With more intensive instruction on complicated concepts, lots of practice and a little confidence, anyone can learn math. Parents can help students obtain all three of those at a math learning center.

What Is the Fastest Way to Learn Math?

There is no fast way to learn math. Math is more like a marathon than a sprint. Math includes many, many concepts, and each one must be mastered before you can learn the next one. However, there are three things you can do at home to help kids master math concepts more quickly than they would otherwise:

First, set a timer for students’ practice sessions. Think about timed math quizzes that children take in elementary school. When students know they are expected to solve 100 math facts in five minutes, they pick up the pace, memorize the facts and work more quickly. Additionally, students are more likely to practice for the full time when they have a specific time goal. If you say, “Practice multiplication tables for 30 minutes,” they will most likely practice for 30 minutes. If you say, “Practice multiplication tables,” you may be lucky to get five minutes.

Second, ensure your child practices math every day. If a student is learning multiplication tables, for instance, they should practice one set – such as the 7s – until they master them, which is to say, they can answer every question correctly in the allotted time. After they do that, they can start on the 8s.

Third, help students tune out distractions. Turn off the TV and put the phone or other unnecessary devices in the next room so they can focus exclusively on math. Actually, this is good advice for any subject. Anything children are trying to learn deserves their full attention.

By enrolling students in a math learning center that encourages children to patiently practice math skills until they master them, and build on their knowledge step-by-step, you can help your child develop strong math skills and set them up for a successful academic journey.