Helping Your Child Improve In Mathematics

That gut-wrenching moment when you see your child’s report card—grades that don’t reflect their true potential. You know they can do better, but something is holding them back. Maybe it's a lack of focus, maybe they don’t have the right study habits, or maybe life has just gotten in the way.

And let’s be honest—it’s not just frustrating for them, but for you too. You’re trying your best to help, but at the same time, you don’t want to turn into that parent who’s constantly nagging about school.

So, what’s the solution?

It’s not about forcing more study hours or turning your home into a mini-classroom. The real key? Giving your child the right tools, structure, and mindset—so they can start excelling on their own.

This guide will walk you through practical, no-nonsense strategies to help your child reach their full potential—without stress, without tears, and without turning dinner conversations into grade interrogations.

1. Be Their Biggest Cheerleader (Not Their Toughest Critic)

Let’s start with the most powerful tool you have—your words.

When your child brings home low grades, it’s tempting to say:

🚫 "Why can’t you be more like your cousin? He gets straight As!"
🚫 "I’ve provided everything for you, so why aren’t you excelling?"
🚫 "Back in my day, we didn’t have all these resources and still did well!"

Oof. Even if well-intended, these statements can make a child feel like they’re not enough, which kills motivation faster than a bad WiFi connection.

Instead, try this:

✅ "I know maths is tough, but I’ve seen you improve. Keep going!"
✅ "That grade isn’t what you wanted—what do you think we can do differently next time?"
✅ "I see how hard you’re working. Let’s figure out how to make studying more effective for you."

This doesn’t mean you ignore the problem. It means you become their teammate, not their opponent. When a child feels emotionally supported, they’re more likely to push themselves to improve.

2. Ditch the ‘Just Study More’ Advice—Help Them Build a Study System

If “just study more” actually worked, schools wouldn’t need teachers. The real secret to success? A structured, distraction-free study system.

Create a Daily Study Routine

🕒 Dedicated self-study time – About two hours a day, separate from homework (avoid study marathons).
📍 Fixed study slot – Keep it consistent (e.g., 16:00 – 18:00 daily).
🚫 No unnecessary resources – If it doesn’t help them study, it doesn’t belong in the study area.
🪑 Study environment – A proper desk, good lighting, and no studying in bed (unless the goal is to fall asleep).
📖 Planned sessions – Decide beforehand what topics to cover each day.

The Right Way to Study (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Reading Notes)

Most students think they’re studying when they’re actually just looking at information, hoping it sticks. It doesn’t.

Here’s what actually works:

📌 No music while studying – Even instrumental music can break focus. Silence is golden.
📌 No phone use – Every “quick” scroll on social media turns into a 20-minute rabbit hole. Keep phones in another room.
📌 Study at a desk, not on the bed – Your brain associates beds with sleep, not equations.
📌 Avoid late-night studying – The brain learns better earlier in the day. Sleep-deprived studying = low retention.
📌 Use the right techniques for each subject – Maths? Do past papers. Science? Watch videos and summarise concepts. Literature? Discuss the themes out loud.

This approach turns study time from “passive suffering” into active learning—which leads to better grades with less effort.

3. Set Goals That Actually Motivate Your Child

If your child’s goal is “I want to get better at maths”, that’s about as useful as saying “I want to be rich” without a plan.

Instead, use SMART goals:

🎯 Specific – Instead of “do better,” aim for “increase my maths grade from 50% to 70%.”
🎯 Measurable – Track progress using test scores and class performance.
🎯 Attainable – If they currently score 40%, a 90% goal isn’t realistic—steady improvement is key.
🎯 Relevant – Goals should align with their future ambitions (e.g., university requirements).
🎯 Time-bound – Break big goals into smaller, term-based targets.

For example, if they got 35% in maths last term, don’t expect an overnight jump to 85%. Instead, set step-by-step goals:

📌 Term 1 Goal: 55%
📌 Term 2 Goal: 70%
📌 Term 3 Goal: 85%

This keeps motivation high because they can see their progress along the way.

4. Sometimes, Extra Help Is the Answer (And That’s Okay!)

Some kids just need more support, and that’s completely normal. If your child is still struggling despite structured study time, it may be time to get a tutor.

5. Respect Study Time Like It’s a Doctor’s Appointment

Want to see real improvement? Treat study time as non-negotiable.

Avoid:

🚫 Assigning chores during study hours
🚫 Letting family members disrupt their focus
🚫 Overloading them with too many resources

Instead, make study time protected time—just like you would with an important appointment. When kids see that study time is taken seriously, they take it seriously too.

Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection

If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: Your child’s success isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.

Small changes lead to big improvements—and before you know it, your child will be confident, independent, and achieving results that once seemed out of reach.

💡 Want expert support? Chimhanda Tutoring provides personalised Cambridge Maths Tutoring to help your child succeed.

👉 Learn More

Kind Regards,

Don L'Amour Chimhanda

A tutor can:

✅ Fill knowledge gaps – They focus on exactly what your child doesn’t understand.
✅ Make learning personal – Unlike school, tutoring is tailored to their specific needs.
✅ Boost confidence – Many students underperform because they think they’re bad at a subject. A tutor changes that mindset.
✅ Provide accountability – Having someone checking in keeps students on track.

If maths is the struggle, Chimhanda Tutoring specialises in Cambridge Mathematics tutoring, helping students turn frustration into results.

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