9 Tips to Keep Your Child Motivated in Subjects They Find Challenging Like Maths
Learn practical strategies to keep your child motivated in challenging subjects like Maths. Discover how parents can build confidence, reduce stress, and nurture resilience in Cambridge learners.
PARENTS
Achiever Tandoh
8/22/202511 min read
How to Keep Your Child Motivated in Difficult Subjects
Maths has a reputation — it’s either a favourite subject or the one that gives students sleepless nights. Sadly, for many Cambridge learners, it’s the latter that often applies.
Parents often watch their child wrestle with difficult subjects like cambridge math, unsure about how to step in and motivate them without making things worse. The fear is that if you don’t do it right, you might just end up putting more pressure on your child which produces the opposite outcome.
In this blog, we’ll explore why students lose motivation in difficult subjects like Maths, how parents can spot the early warning signs, and what practical steps you can take to help your child stay engaged, resilient, and eventually successful in any subject.
Why Do Students Struggle with Motivation in Maths?
Before we jump into solutions, it’s important to understand why Maths feels like an uphill battle for so many students. It’s not just about the subject itself — it’s about how children experience it.
1. The subject feels abstract
Unlike subjects like History or Geography, which tell stories and allow students to imagine people, events, and places, Maths can sometimes feel like a cold collection of numbers and rules. For example, when a child sees “solve for x: 3x + 7 = 22,” they may wonder: When will I ever need this in real life?
This disconnect is one of the biggest reasons students lose motivation. Children are naturally curious — they thrive when they see meaning in what they are learning. Without real-world connections, equations can feel like random puzzles with no purpose. That lack of context leads to boredom, frustration, and eventually the thought, “What’s the point of even trying?”.
2. Mistakes feel personal
Maths is often seen as black-and-white — the answer is either right or wrong. Unlike essays or projects where creativity and subjective opinions can blur the line between right and wrong, a wrong step in maths is Wrong with no room for negotiation. For a child, this can feel very personal.
If a student struggles repeatedly, they may begin to believe that frequently getting answers wrong means they are “bad at Maths.” Once this label sticks in their mind, it can crush their confidence.
Worse still, some children compare themselves to peers who seem to grasp concepts faster. That comparison only reinforces the damaging belief that “Maths isn’t for me.” The same could be said for any other subject.
In reality, mistakes in Maths are an essential part of learning. Every error reveals a gap in understanding — but children rarely see it this way unless adults help them frame mistakes as opportunities for learning, not failures.
3. Pace of learning
The Cambridge curriculum is designed to be thorough and challenging. It is well structured and cumulative. But one drawback is that the pace is fast. Teachers have to cover a wide syllabus in a limited amount of time.
If a student falls behind — even for just a week due to illness, distraction, or difficulty with a particular topic — catching up can feel nearly impossible. Imagine building a tower and missing a few bricks at the bottom; the higher you go, the more unstable it becomes. That’s how Maths feels when the basics aren’t fully secure.
When the gap widens, the student feels lost and loses confidence. Instead of asking for help, many quietly disengage to avoid embarrassment. Over time, this turns into a belief that they simply “can’t keep up.”
4. Exam pressure
Exams can create a lot of anxiety if a child feels unprepared. And the exam conditions don’t help either. Timed conditions, in particular, can make students panic and forget even what they do know.
Every low score chips away at their motivation further. This creates a vicious cycle: lack of preparation leads to anxiety, exam anxiety leads to poor performance, and poor performance further convinces them they are incapable. It’s not a cycle you want your child to get caught in.
When a child feels they “just can’t do it,” when they feel a subject is meaningless, mistakes feel like proof of failure, the class is moving too fast, or exams feel overwhelming, their motivation doesn’t just dip — it disappears. They literally stop trying and just develop hatred for the subject and sometimes even the teacher as well.
That’s where your role as a parent becomes crucial. You can help change how they see Maths, support them emotionally, and give them the tools to rebuild their confidence and motivation step by step.
Spotting the Warning Signs Early
The good news is that motivation doesn’t vanish overnight. It often fades quietly, showing up in subtle ways before becoming a serious issue. Parents who can spot these signs early have the best chance of stepping in before their child completely disengages.
Here are some common red flags to look out for:
1. Avoiding Homework or Rushing Through It
If your child used to put effort into their homework but now avoids it or does it in a careless rush, that’s a strong signal something deeper is going on. Avoidance is often a defence mechanism — they think if they don’t try, they can’t fail. But behind that avoidance is usually frustration, confusion, or low confidence.
2. Negative Self-Talk
Pay attention to the language your child uses. Phrases like “I’ll never be good at Maths,” “I hate this subject,” or “What’s the point?” are more than casual complaints — they reflect an internal belief system forming. Once a child convinces themselves that success is impossible, their motivation naturally collapses.
3. Physical Stress Before Tests
Ever heard of “Exam Fever”? Motivation isn’t just mental; it can also show up physically. Students may complain of headaches, stomach aches, or trouble sleeping the night before a test. Some may even become unusually irritable or quiet. These are signs of anxiety — and they suggest your child isn’t just unmotivated but may actually fear the subject.
4. Excuses and Avoidance
Some children develop creative excuses to distance themselves from the subject: “I forgot my book at school,” “The teacher didn’t explain it properly,” or “I’ll do it later.” Occasional excuses are normal, but a consistent pattern signals avoidance behaviour which is a red flag.
5. Drops in Performance Despite “Studying”
Sometimes, children do spend hours studying but still perform poorly. This can be because they’re using ineffective methods, like rereading notes without practice. When they don’t see improvement despite effort, they quickly lose motivation and conclude the subject is impossible for them.
Once a child associates a subject with stress, failure, or fear, reversing that mindset takes much more effort. But if you catch the early warning signals, you can step in with encouragement, new strategies, and small wins that restore motivation before the problem becomes worse.
How Parents Can Help Their Child Stay Motivated
Let’s move into practical strategies. Motivation is not about forcing your child to sit longer at a desk; it’s about creating an environment where effort feels worthwhile and progress is visible. What children need most is encouragement, structure, and consistent support.
For a more detailed step-by-step guide to not just help your just rebuild confidence in maths but to love the subject, check out this blog post: 7 Simple Tricks to Help Your Child Fall in Love with Cambridge Maths
Below are practical steps you can take, broken down into key strategies that work.
1. Shift the Conversation Around Maths
Children often pick up on the way adults talk about Maths. If a parent says, “I was never good at Maths either,” it unintentionally gives the child permission to give up. On the other hand, showing a positive attitude makes a big difference.
Avoid labels like “good” or “bad” at Maths. Instead of saying, “You’re just not a Maths person,” reframe it as, “This is a skill you’re still developing.”
Talk about effort, not just results. Celebrate persistence: “I’m proud of how long you worked on that problem, persistence will pay off.” Instead of only praising correct answers.
Share stories of growth. If you once struggled with something but improved, let your child know. It teaches them that ability is not fixed.
This mindset shift helps children see Maths as a skill they can build, not an inborn talent they either have or don’t.
2. Connect Maths to Real Life Wherever Possible
One of the biggest complaints students have is that Maths feels pointless or abstract. Parents can bridge that gap by showing how Maths appears in daily life.
Shopping trips: Ask your child to calculate discounts, compare prices, or check if the items in the trolley fit within a budget.
Cooking: Measuring ingredients is an excellent way to practice fractions, ratios, and conversions.
Travel: Ask your child to estimate travel times, distances, or petrol consumption.
Technology: Talk about algorithms and geometry in apps, coding, or even video game design — all powered by Maths.
When Maths connects to something meaningful, students begin to view it less as a chore and more as a useful life tool.
3. Build a Routine, But Keep It Manageable
Consistency beats cramming. A well-structured routine creates stability and reduces last-minute stress before exams.
Short daily sessions: Encourage 20–30 minutes of focused studying rather than long, draining sessions.
Mix it up: Rotate between textbook exercises, past papers, and online quizzes to avoid boredom.
Set a visible schedule: A calendar or planner helps your child stay on track and gives them a sense of control.
Tip: Link Maths study to an existing habit. For example, 30 minutes of revision right after dinner can become part of the evening routine. This is a proven habit building technique known as Habit Stacking from the book “Atomic Habits”.
4. Use the Power of Past Papers
For Cambridge learners especially, past papers are gold. They not only test knowledge but also train students in exam technique.
Start early. Don’t wait until the week before exams. Introduce past papers throughout the term.
Go question by question. Break down a paper into small chunks or go topic by topic, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Review mistakes carefully. If time allows, sit with your child and figure out why they got a question wrong — misunderstanding the concept, a careless slip, or misreading the question.
Track progress. Keep a folder of marked papers so your child can see how they’re improving over time.
This method builds confidence because students start recognizing familiar question patterns.
5. Balance Support with Independence
It’s tempting to hover around when your child is studying but doing too much can backfire. Children need guidance, but they also need space to struggle productively.
Ask guiding questions instead of giving answers. For example: “What’s the first step you could take?” or “Which formula might apply here?”
Encourage problem-solving resilience. Praise your child when they stick with a problem even if they don’t get it right away.
Know when to step back. If emotions are running high, sometimes the best move is to suggest a short break instead of pushing harder.
The goal is to create a safe environment where mistakes are seen as part of learning.
6. Make Use of External Resources
Sometimes a fresh voice can make all the difference.
Tutors: Sometimes, despite best efforts, your child needs professional guidance. A good tutor can make concepts clearer, teach exam techniques, and restore confidence. Tutoring should never feel like a punishment. Present it positively: “This will give you more support so you can feel confident in class.”
Not sure if your child needs a tutor yet? Check out this blog post.
Not sure what makes a good tutor? Check out this blog post.
Online platforms: Websites, apps, and YouTube channels dedicated to Cambridge Maths can provide step-by-step tutorials.
Study groups: Encourage your child to join or form a study group with peers. Explaining concepts to friends is one of the best ways to learn.
If you notice your child becoming resistant to your help, outsourcing to a tutor or external resource can reduce friction while keeping learning on track.
Sign up for our Free Trial Lesson and see what a Tutor can do to boost your child’s confidence in maths. We are experts in the field for a reason.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
Motivation grows when children feel they’re making progress. Don’t wait for the final grade to celebrate.
Acknowledge effort. Even if the answers aren’t perfect, praise your child for trying harder than yesterday.
Use tangible rewards sparingly. For example, a favourite snack or extra screen time after completing a challenging practice session can work in moderation.
Highlight improvements. Compare their current performance with earlier work to show how far they’ve come.
Progress, not perfection, should be the focus. This helps build long-term confidence instead of short-term pressure.
8. Manage Exam Stress Together
Cambridge exams are demanding, and stress can kill motivation if left unchecked. Parents can help by normalising the experience.
Practice under exam conditions. Time your child during past papers so the format feels familiar.
Teach relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, stretching, or short breaks can reduce anxiety before big tests.
Keep perspective. Remind your child that one test or grade doesn’t define their entire future.
Emotional support during exam periods is just as important as academic preparation.
9. Model the Behaviour You Want to See
Children learn more from what you do than what you say. Show them that perseverance and curiosity are part of life.
Demonstrate learning. Share a skill you’re trying to improve (like cooking, gardening, or even learning a new app) and talk about your mistakes and progress.
Stay calm around challenges. If you show patience when solving problems, your child is more likely to adopt the same approach.
By modelling a growth mindset yourself, you give your child a living example of how to tackle tough subjects.
✅ With these strategies, you don’t need to be a Maths expert to make a real difference. What your child needs most is a supportive partner who encourages resilience, recognizes and celebrates effort, and helps them see the bigger picture. Over time, these steps turn Maths from a fear into a challenge they’re capable of overcoming.
Final Thoughts
Motivation in Maths like in any other difficult subject, is not about making your child “love” the subject overnight. It’s about guiding them to believe that with persistence, support, and the right strategies, improvement is always possible.
Every child’s journey and experience will look different. Some will need extra time, others will need more encouragement, and many will need both. What matters is that they don’t face it alone.
At Chimhanda Tutoring, we’ve seen how the right guidance transforms struggling students into confident learners. With patience, practice, and support, your child can not only cope with their most challenging subjects but begin to excel in it.
If you notice your child losing motivation, take it as a signal to step in early. Encourage effort, provide structure, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if needed.
Because the truth is — every student has the potential to succeed. Sometimes, they just need the right kind of encouragement to discover it.
Sign Up today for our Free Trial Lesson to supercharge your child’s confidence in maths.
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