The Importance of Having a Solid Math Foundation
A lot of people identify themselves as a “math person” or “not a math person.” Whether you love the subject or not, it is still integral in multiple facets of life outside of the classroom. And the good news is that math skills can be learned. With hard work and practice, you can become better at math. Building a solid math foundation is important as you progress through school and beyond, and here’s why.
Math is generally considered a spiral subject. The basics of arithmetic that are learned in elementary school become the foundation for more complex concepts later on. In middle school and high school, these concepts are revisited, expanded on, and built upon. You use similar strategies and approaches, just in more advanced ways.
That means that if you haven’t fully mastered the basics, when you get to higher level courses, some of those essential building blocks are missing. More difficult formulas and concepts may not make sense, which can make keeping up with coursework challenging and frustrating.
And don’t forget that math skills aren’t only used in math class. Courses such as chemistry, physics, and economics also rely on similar formulas and processes. So even though you’re studying science, you may be using algebra or geometry concepts.
Improving Math Skills
If you are struggling in math, do not try to just skate by until you move onto a different topic and the work becomes easier. Remember that you are likely to see that difficult skill again. Take the time to work through challenges and learn the material so you are prepared for those advanced concepts.
Work with a tutor. A tutor can be an incredible resource. They can evaluate your skills and determine where there are knowledge gaps, where your strengths lie, and where there are areas for improvement. Then, they can create a plan for reteaching and reinforcing those skills in a way that makes sense to you. By presenting information in a different way or using new practice strategies, it can help you improve your mastery of these concepts. In turn, that will benefit you in your current class as well as higher level courses you take in the future.
Keep practicing. Regularly review what you are learning and continue reinforcing the fundamentals as well. Make sure you can quickly recall multiplication and division facts and understand the relationship between fractions, decimals, and ratios. Apply these skills in your daily life whether you’re balancing your bank account, baking dessert, or deciding how to rearrange the furniture in your room so everything still fits.
As you strengthen your math foundation, you strengthen your confidence as well. Knowing that you have the knowledge, strategies, and tools you need to solve problems can help you be more successful as you progress through your academic education.
Whether math is not your strongest subject or you just want to be prepared for class and more advanced coursework, Crafting Scholars has you covered. Our learning specialists work with you to develop a customized curriculum aligned with your individual needs and goals. Contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about how we can support you in building a solid foundation in math.
Originally published at https://craftingscholars.com on September 6, 2024.
