Here are some things you can do:

• Accept the struggle. Many things in life require some struggle. No one learns to hit a jump shot the first time on the court. No one learns to ride a bike the first time either. Math is no different. If your child is struggling, let her know that’s OK. “You’ll get it if you keep working.”

• Encourage mastery. Math builds on what has been learned. Make sure your child knows and retains math facts, not just for the test.

• Don’t focus on the grade. Some students who get good grades in math forget most of what they have learned when the test is over.

• Focus on fundamentals. There’s just no substitute for mastering the basics. Use flash cards to review math facts. On a day when your child has no math homework, go back and look at old problems.

• Use the textbook. Math textbooks include a lot more than problems. They offer explanations of how to solve problems. They offer examples of how the math is used in real life. If your child is having trouble, look at the math book together. You may both find a way to solve the problem.

Even if you aren’t great in math, you can pass on a positive attitude to your child. Let her know that struggling is to be expected. Reassure her that she will figure it out with patience and practice. And take pride as she masters each new step.

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