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At The Learning Lab, every student can become confident in math when taught in a way that resonates with their learning style. Whether your child has ADHD, a learning difference, or simply needs additional support, utilizing innovative math teaching strategies can make all the difference.
Here are seven proven ways we help students not only understand math but also enjoy it.
1. Make Math Visual and Hands-On
Math is abstract by nature, which makes it especially challenging for visual or kinesthetic learners. That’s why we bring math to life with manipulatives, drawings, and hands-on tools.
Whether it’s using fraction tiles to understand part-whole relationships or drawing number lines to visualize addition and subtraction, tactile learning makes abstract concepts concrete. For younger students or those with ADHD, this kind of interactive approach can improve focus, retention, and engagement.
When students see math, they start to believe they can do math and that’s the first step toward building confidence.
2. Apply Math to Real-World Problems
Let’s face it: when kids don’t see the point, they check out. But when math connects to their world, it suddenly becomes relevant and exciting.
We incorporate real-life scenarios like:
- Budgeting for a birthday party
- Measuring ingredients for a recipe
- Planning a backyard garden with an area and perimeter
These activities demonstrate to students that math isn’t just about worksheets — it’s a tool they’ll use throughout their lives. That relevance is key to keeping them engaged.
3. Use Technology to Spark Interest
Today’s students are digital natives, and math technology can be a powerful ally when used strategically.
We introduce tools like:
- Math games (e.g., Prodigy, Reflex, Math Playground)
- Interactive whiteboards
- Adaptive apps that adjust in real time to a student’s progress
These platforms transform practice into play, provide instant feedback, and enable students to progress at their own pace. For students with attention challenges, the interactive format can improve time-on-task and make learning feel less like a chore.
4. Personalize Instruction for Learning Styles
No two brains learn the same way. That’s why personalized math instruction is one of the most powerful tools we use at The Learning Lab.
We tailor our sessions to fit each child’s preferred style:
- Visual learners benefit from charts, color-coding, and diagrams
- Auditory learners thrive with verbal explanations, repetition, and read-alouds
- Kinesthetic learners need to move, build, and physically interact with math
When instruction is aligned with how a child learns best, concepts click more quickly, and their confidence begins to grow.
5. Add Movement to Math
Sitting still for extended periods can be tough for any child, but especially for those with ADHD or sensory needs. That’s why we sometimes take math off the page and into motion.
Some of our favorite active strategies include:
- Math scavenger hunts around the room or at home
- Hopscotch-style games for solving equations
- Relay races to match math problems with answers
Adding movement activates different parts of the brain and makes math more memorable. It’s not just fun — it’s effective.
6. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection
Math perfectionism is real, and it can paralyze students who are afraid of getting the answer “wrong.” At The Learning Lab, we shift the focus from perfection to progress.
We praise:
- Effort (“You didn’t give up when it got tricky!”)
- Strategies (“I noticed you used a number line — great thinking!”)
- Growth (“This used to take you 10 minutes, now it only takes five!”)
By reinforcing progress, we help students develop a growth mindset — and that’s essential for long-term success.
7. Gamify the Learning Experience
Who says learning can’t be fun? We bring play into math through:
- Dice games and math card battles
- Escape-room style puzzles that require problem-solving
- Team challenges that build collaboration and quick thinking
When students are having fun, they tend to forget their anxiety. Gamification transforms math from something they dread into something they look forward to.
How The Learning Lab Brings Math to Life
At The Learning Lab, our math instruction is anything but one-size-fits-all. We meet students where they are and customize sessions to suit their learning style, pace, and personality.
Whether your child needs help catching up, overcoming math anxiety, or simply finding their spark again, we’re here to help. Our tutors are trained in strategies that build both skill and self-esteem, because we know that when students feel confident, achievement follows.
These innovative math teaching strategies are designed to unlock potential, build motivation, and show students that math can be accessible, meaningful, and even enjoyable.
Book a free consultation with The Learning Lab and let’s help them rediscover their confidence.
