Unlocking Math for Dyslexic Kids: Problem-Based Approach

Last updated: July 4, 2025

As a parent of a child with dyslexia, you know the unique challenges and triumphs that come with helping your child navigate their education. The speaker understands your journey and is excited to share three empowering strategies that can transform the way your child learns math. You’ll discover how to encourage schools to use problem-based learning, build on your child’s existing knowledge, and engage in hands-on activities at home to deepen their understanding of complex concepts like volume. With these insights, you have the power to make a significant difference in your child’s educational experience.

Enhancing Math Comprehension Through Problem-Based Learning
In a recent educational initiative, a problem-based learning unit was developed to deepen students’ understanding of mathematical concepts like volume. This approach involved extending the conceptual understanding of the area of a circle and recognizing that the volume of a prism is the area of the base times the height. Rather than simply presenting the formula for the volume of a cylinder as πr² times the height, students were guided to work through the problem, estimate, and approximate using their conceptual understanding. This method allowed students to uncover the formula themselves, fostering a deeper comprehension of the material. For parents of children with dyslexia, this insight suggests that encouraging schools to adopt problem-based learning strategies can significantly enhance their child’s ability to grasp complex mathematical concepts beyond mere memorization.

For parents: Help your child with learning challenges by focusing on conceptual understanding in math, not just formulas; real-world problem-solving can make abstract concepts like volume more relatable and manageable. Tweet Now Follow Learning Success

Leveraging Familiar Concepts for New Learning
In a recent discussion, it was shared that teaching new concepts by building on what students already know can be an effective strategy. Specifically, the example given was calculating the area of a circle by relating it to the areas of rectangles, a concept students were already familiar with. This approach was then extended to understanding the volume of a cylinder. For parents of children with dyslexia, this method can be particularly beneficial as it leverages existing knowledge to introduce new ideas, potentially making learning more accessible. This insight means that parents can support their children’s learning by connecting new material to concepts they have already mastered, thereby enhancing their educational experience.

Author Quote "

We don’t think of area of a circle as just pi r squared which is how I taught it for many years; we emerged the idea that actually if you were to take that circle and we were to decompose that circle and try to make it look like a simple shape that we know how to calculate like a rectangle or a parallelogram then we could actually use this reasoning and use simply length times width in order to find our area.

Hands-On Math for Dyslexic Learners
During a discussion on educational strategies, it was shared that hands-on activities can significantly benefit children with dyslexia in learning mathematical concepts. Specifically, the approach involves having students build cylinders themselves to explore and understand the idea of volume. The transcript highlighted the use of tools like unifix cubes, where students can physically pile them up to estimate volume, providing a tangible way to grasp abstract concepts. This method allows children to take their time and grapple with the material in a more engaging manner. For parents, this means that by facilitating similar hands-on activities at home, they can help their children with dyslexia develop a stronger connection to and understanding of math.

Key Takeaways:

Conceptual Understanding Over Algorithms: Encourage your child to focus on understanding the concepts behind mathematical formulas rather than just memorizing them. The transcript highlights the importance of exploring and investigating the relationships between different shapes' dimensions, such as the connection between the diameter and circumference of a circle, and how this understanding can be extended to calculate volumes of cylinders, cones, and spheres. This approach can help your child build a stronger foundation in math and improve their ability to apply these concepts in various contexts.

Engagement Through Problem-Based Learning: Support your child in participating in problem-based learning activities, which can make learning more engaging and meaningful. The transcript describes a unit where students actively explore the volume of different shapes through hands-on activities, such as building cylinders and cones, and estimating and comparing their volumes. This method can help your child develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and enhance their problem-solving skills.

Building Number Sense and Flexibility: Help your child develop strong number sense and flexibility with numbers, which are crucial for mastering mathematical concepts. The transcript emphasizes the importance of allowing students to work with numbers in a way that builds their understanding and confidence, rather than relying solely on calculators and formulas. Encourage your child to practice mental math and use strategies like partial products to strengthen their numerical reasoning and adaptability.

Author Quote "

We actually have them build these cylinders themselves in order to investigate… anyway they’ll at least get to see… they can actually fill it with actual popcorn and use that as their tool and ultimately from there we get students to sort of update their estimate or update their prediction based on what they see.

Taking Action
You are capable and equipped to support your child’s unique learning journey with dyslexia. Start today by encouraging hands-on exploration at home, letting your child estimate and physically engage with mathematical concepts, which will enhance their problem solving skills. Remember, this is a journey, and every step you take together builds confidence and understanding. You’ve got this, and together, you and your child will unlock a world of possibilities and success.

Empower your child’s learning journey with dyslexia by exploring the Brain Bloom System, which offers hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of math concepts at home.