When it comes to Math there are several problems that can occur right from the start: counting, counting by multiples, telling time, understanding basic number facts, figuring out a pattern, understanding the concept of probability. Children with learning challenges might not get numerical concepts like bigger and smaller, which makes the number line a challenge; or they may not understand the number 4 is the same as the word four. They may have a limited working memory and find it hard to hold a number in their mind while doing other computations. I wasn’t sure our son would ever grow out of using his fingers. Then along came the calculator, which became a miracle worker for him. He always knew how to explain what he was doing; it was just the answers didn’t pop into his head like they did for the other kids.
Later in elementary school children may experience difficulties with fractions, word problems, measurement, reading graphs, and algebra. You might say that sounds like the entire curriculum, and unfortunately it’s pretty close. What I found with our son was there were certain parts of the curriculum that came naturally to him. His forte was with graphs, measurement, and geometry, and calculus for some reason. Every child is different, and as parents we need to help our children do their best at both the things they’re good at and not so good at.