- 23 Jun, 2025
- 0 Comments
- 3 Mins Read
How to Help Your Child Who Is Struggling to Solve Word Problems
Word problems can feel like riddles for many children — a confusing mix of math and language that leaves them feeling frustrated and defeated. As a parent, you may notice your child breeze through arithmetic but freeze when faced with even a simple story problem. You’re not alone, and neither is your child.
Here’s how you can support your child in turning confusion into confidence when it comes to solving word problems.
1. Understand the Root of the Struggle
Word problems require more than just math skills. They demand:
– Reading comprehension
– Critical thinking
– Problem-solving strategies
– Ability to translate words into math operations
Start by identifying where your child is getting stuck. Are they struggling to understand the question, pick out important information, or decide what operation to use?
2. Break It Down – Together
Teach your child to follow a simple, consistent approach. One effective method is the “READ – THINK – PLAN – SOLVE – CHECK” strategy:
1. READ: Read the problem out loud slowly.
2. THINK: What is the problem asking? What do we know?
3. PLAN: Choose the operation (addition, subtraction, etc.) and strategy.
4. SOLVE: Do the math.
5. CHECK: Does the answer make sense?
3. Highlight Key Words — Carefully
Many word problems contain extra information that isn’t necessary to find the solution. Children can find it difficult to identify the key pieces of data they need to work with.While traditional advice encourages looking for keywords like “altogether” or “how many left,” it’s important not to rely on them blindly. Teach your child to understand the context instead.
For example:
– “How many more” often signals subtraction, but not always.
– Instead, ask: What is the story telling us? What do we need to find?
4. Draw It Out
Encourage your child to visualize the problem:
– Use diagrams, number lines, or stick figures.
– Draw bar models (especially helpful in elementary school).
– Even simple sketches can clarify confusing parts of a problem.
Visual learners especially benefit from this step.
5. Practice with Real-Life Scenarios
Make math relatable:
– “If we have 3 apples and buy 4 more, how many do we have?”
– “If each cookie costs $2 and we want 5, how much do we need?”
This not only builds skills but shows them math is useful in everyday life.
6. Read More — Not Just Math
A strong reader often becomes a stronger word problem solver. Reading builds comprehension, vocabulary, and the ability to infer — all key for understanding word problems. Encourage daily reading and talk about what they’ve read to improve understanding.
7. Be Patient and Encouraging
Your child may feel embarrassed or discouraged. Celebrate effort, not just correctness. Say things like:
– “I see how hard you’re thinking — that’s great!”
– “You’re getting closer every time.”
Avoid saying, “This is easy” — it might make your child feel worse if they’re struggling.
Fun and Games: Making Word Problems Engaging
Learning doesn’t have to be a chore! Here are some fun activities you can do with your child to strengthen their word problem-solving skills:
– Real-World Math: Involve your child in everyday activities that require problem-solving. Ask them to calculate the total cost of a few items at the grocery store, figure out how much time is left before their favorite show starts, or help you double a recipe.
– Get Visual: Encourage your child to draw a picture of the word problem. This can help them to visualize the situation and better understand what is being asked. Simple sketches or diagrams can make abstract concepts more concrete.
– Use Manipulatives: For younger children, using physical objects like blocks, beads, or even snacks can be incredibly helpful. They can act out the problem and see the mathematical concepts in action.
– Create Your Own Problems: Turn the tables and have your child create their own word problems for you to solve. This is a fantastic way for them to think about how word problems are constructed and what information is needed to solve them.
– Story Time Math: As you read books together, look for opportunities to create impromptu word problems based on the story. “If the three little pigs each built a house with 10 bricks, how many bricks did they use in total?”
Final Thoughts
Helping your child overcome their struggle with word problems takes patience, strategy, and the right support. By building their comprehension, modeling problem-solving methods, and practicing regularly, you can boost their confidence and skills over time.
At eduSeed, we specialize in making math accessible and engaging—turning complex word problems into manageable, confidence-building exercises. Let us help your child find clarity and success in math.
