Fourth-grade math: Why it’s hard for kids

By Amanda Morin

Expert reviewed by Brendan Hodnett, MA

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  • Quick tip 1

    Practice with food, like pizza.

    Talk about math with real-life examples. For instance, practice fractions with foods like pizza or apples. Ask, “How many slices are there in total? What would two slices of that whole look like as a fraction?”

  • Quick tip 2

    Find example math problems.

    If kids have trouble with specific math problems, find similar ones with their solutions. These could be from class or a textbook. You can also look for examples online by searching for terms from the assignment.

  • Quick tip 3

    Try a different approach.

    When kids are stuck on a math problem, see if there’s another way they can approach the work. Take notes on the process they try. They can use these notes to show teachers their efforts and get feedback on how they solved the problem.

  • Quick tip 4

    Say it’s OK.

    There’s a lot of math to learn in fourth grade, and it can take extra practice. Say that it’s OK if learning math feels tough. If you ever struggled with math, be open about that. It helps kids understand that they’re not the only ones who struggle. 

Kids who struggle with math in fourth grade are not alone. What’s so different about fourth-grade math? 

In third grade, kids learn about multiplying and dividing numbers within 100, like multiplying single-digit numbers (6 × 9). Kids also start solving word problems and doing mental math. 

In fourth grade, the concepts are more complicated. Students spend a lot of time exploring math concepts like:

  • Multi-digit multiplication, like 26 × 10

  • Two- and three-digit division, like 144 ÷ 12

  • Working with and comparing fractions

The pace of learning also speeds up in fourth grade. Kids learn about new math concepts quickly, so they might not see right away how they’re connected. As a result, they may feel discouraged.

Fourth graders also learn why math works, not just how to get the right answer. They learn to use different models and visuals to solve problems and show their process. This is challenging, but showing work helps kids understand why math works the way it does.

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