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Why Word Problems Seem Like a Foreign Language
Ever tried assembling IKEA furniture without instructions? At first, you feel confident—how hard could it be? Then suddenly, you’ve got extra screws, misaligned pieces, and what was supposed to be a bookshelf now looks like modern art.
That’s exactly how kids feel tackling word problems—only there’s no instruction manual, and they’re expected to figure it out anyway.
If your child struggles with word problems, you're not alone.This infographic breaks down exactly why they feel like a foreign language—and how to fix them. 👇
They know math. They can:
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Solve basic equations confidently.
Recognize math symbols instantly.
But introduce a word problem, and suddenly, math turns into an alien language.
Let’s test this:
Which of these is easier?
✅ 5 × 8 = 40
❌ If there are five rows of chairs and each row has eight chairs, how many chairs are in total?
Same math. Totally different struggle.
Here’s the thing—your child isn’t struggling because they’re bad at math. They’re struggling because word problems are actually a reading test in disguise. And if your kiddo struggles with reading—or has a working memory that taps out halfway through a long sentence—by the time they reach the actual question, they’ve already forgotten what they read.
Now, most teachers tell students to read and re-read the problem until they understand it. But that’s like telling someone who doesn’t speak Spanish to just keep re-reading a menu in Madrid until they magically know what to order. Spoiler: it doesn’t work.
In this blog, we’ll unveil why word problems tend to trip kids up, and I’ll share a simple yet powerful approach that stops them from feeling overwhelmed by all those words on the page.
By the end of this post, you’ll not only understand your child’s struggle—you’ll know exactly how to help. And if you want expert support along the way? That’s where Math Wizdom comes in.
The Real Reason Word Problems Are Hard—They’re Actually a Reading Test
If your child can confidently solve 5 × 8 but freezes when the exact same numbers appear in a word problem, you’ve witnessed one of elementary math’s greatest mysteries.
"My kid can do multiplication just fine… so why do they look at word problems like they’re reading ancient Greek?"
Here’s the truth: Word problems aren’t just math. They’re a reading comprehension test with numbers thrown in for extra chaos.
Math as a Language (And Why Word Problems Mix Two Languages at Once)
Think of math as its own language—because, well, it is. Just like English, Spanish, or French, it has its own rules, symbols, and shorthand.
Now imagine someone hands you a train schedule written in another language. Even if you know how trains work, you’re stuck unless you can decode the words.
🔹 Math is concise and symbolic (2 + 3 = 5).
🔹 English is wordy and full of extra details (If Jamie has 2 apples and finds 3 more under a tree, how many apples does Jamie have now?).
🔹 Word problems force kids to switch between these two languages constantly, making it easy to get lost in translation.
It’s like trying to follow a complicated recipe written in another language. Even if you’re an amazing cook, if you can’t figure out what the instructions are saying, you’ll struggle to get dinner on the table.
And that’s what’s happening to your kid in math class.
Information Overload: Why Word Problems Fry Kids’ Brains
Now, let’s add another layer to this mess—working memory challenges.
Here’s what happens in your child’s brain when they see a word problem:
1. Read the problem and try to remember all the details.
2. Realize that by the time they reach the actual question, they’ve already forgotten half of what they read.
3. Panic, guess, or stare at the page like it personally offended them.
That’s not a math problem. That’s an information overload problem.
For kids with working memory struggles, word problems feel like juggling too many grocery bags—something’s bound to drop.
And in this case, it’s probably the one crucial detail they actually needed to solve the problem.
That’s why reading and re-reading doesn’t work. It just increases the overwhelm. They don’t need to re-read—they need to process as they go (hint: that’s exactly what our “Pause and Process” method does).
The Hidden Reading Test: When Word Problems Are More About Words Than Numbers
Here’s a little secret: Sometimes, word problems feel more like reading tests in disguise.
🔸 Too many extra words? Kids get lost before they even reach the numbers.
🔸 Poorly structured question? They have no idea what they’re actually solving for.
🔸 Multiple steps buried in long sentences? By the time they get to the last part, they’ve forgotten what they were solving in the first place.
This is especially frustrating for kids who actually understand the math but struggle with how the problem is worded. It’s like knowing how to drive but being handed a GPS in another language—you could get where you’re going, but first, you have to figure out what it’s even asking you to do.
So What’s the Fix?
Instead of forcing kids to read and re-read (which doesn’t help!), we teach them to decode problems step by step, processing small chunks at a time before moving on.
Coming up next: How our “Pause and Process” Method makes word problems manageable, logical, and way less frustrating.
The Math Wizdom ‘Pause and Process’ Method—Decoding Word Problems Step by Step
Okay, so we’ve established that word problems are basically a reading test in disguise and that the “just read it again” method is about as helpful as a GPS that keeps saying, “Recalculating… recalculating…”
So what’s the alternative? How do we actually help kids who get lost in word problems instead of just telling them to try harder?
Enter the “Pause & Process” Method—or, as I sometimes call it, the “Stop & Think” technique. Instead of letting kids drown in a sea of words, this strategy teaches them to break the problem into bite-sized, digestible pieces so they actually understand what’s happening while they read. Think of it like turning a marathon into a series of small, easy sprints.
Why ‘Pause and Process’ Works (AKA, Why Your Kid Won’t Hate Word Problems Anymore)
Here’s what normally happens when a kid reads a word problem:
1: They read the whole thing in one go, trying to hold onto all the details.
2: By the time they get to the actual question, they’ve already forgotten the beginning.
3: They panic, pick a random number, and pray it’s the right answer.
This method? Certified disaster. But here’s the good news: there’s a better way.
Now, let’s talk about what should happen instead:
Step 1: Breaking It Down—One Punctuation Mark at a Time
Most kids read word problems the way they scroll through social media—speeding through without fully absorbing what they just read. Then, by the time they reach the actual question, they’re totally lost and re-reading the problem like it’s going to magically change on the second (or third… or fourth) try.
🚨 Big mistake. 🚨
Instead, teach them to stop and think at every period or comma.
Here’s how it works:
✅ Read the problem, but STOP at every punctuation mark (yes, even commas).
✅ Ask yourself: “What did I just learn? Is there a number or keyword I should jot down?”
✅ Write something down—a number, a drawing, a quick calculation, anything to process what was just read
This is a game-changer for kids with working memory challenges because it lightens the mental load. Instead of trying to juggle all the details at once, they’re locking in each piece before moving on.
By the time they reach the actual question—“How many hours until the trains meet?”—they already have the building blocks in place and don’t have to scramble back through the text.
Step 2: Pausing to Process vs. Mindless Rereading
Most teachers (including past me) have told students, “If you don’t understand, just read it again.”
Here’s the problem: For some kids, rereading is just a repeat of the first disaster.
If they didn’t understand it the first time, blasting through it again without processing anything differently isn’t magically going to make it click. That’s why pausing to process works better than just throwing another re-read at the problem.
📌 A Quick Story: I once worked with a student who would completely forget the start of the problem by the time he got to the last line. No matter how many times he reread, he stayed stuck.
So, we tried the “Pause & Process” method—stopping after every period, jotting down important numbers, and sketching out key details.
It was like a light bulb switched on. Suddenly, he wasn’t frantically re-reading—he was actually understanding the problem while reading it the first time. Within a few sessions, his confidence skyrocketed, and he stopped seeing word problems as a trap and started seeing them as solvable puzzles.
Step 3: Translating Words into Math (Before It’s Too Late)
One hidden benefit of “Pause & Process” is that it naturally helps kids translate words into numbers as they go. Instead of waiting until the end of the problem to figure out the equation, they’re gradually crafting the math sentence piece by piece.
Here’s how to help your child turn words into numbers as they go:
✅ Highlight math words immediately. If the problem says “total,” “difference,” or “in all,” highlight those words right away—they hint at the operation needed.
✅ Do mini-calculations along the way. If a sentence gives an obvious math step, solve it right after reading it. For example, if the problem says “Jamie has 3 packs of markers. Each pack has 5 markers,” pause right there and do 3 × 5 = 15—don’t wait until the end.
✅ Use quick sketches. If a problem describes two trains moving on a track, draw a simple sketch with key numbers as soon as you read it.
This keeps kids from arriving at the question totally unprepared and frantically trying to make sense of everything at once.
Step 4: Building Consistency—Making “Pause & Process” a Habit
Here’s the truth—new habits take time. If your child isn’t instantly on board with stopping after every comma, that’s normal. The key is consistency.
At first, they might resist slowing down—especially if they’re used to speed-reading and guessing. But after a few tries, pausing will feel natural, and they’ll start to see that taking a few extra seconds upfront saves them from total confusion later.
And once they realize that word problems aren’t actually impossible, they’ll start approaching them with confidence instead of fear.
Breaking things into steps keeps things organized and reduces the chance of a total meltdown—whether it’s in the kitchen or at the math desk.
What This Looks Like in Action
Let’s take a classic math word problem and break it down using the Pause and Process method.
Original problem:"Sarah has 3 packs of markers. Each pack has 5 markers. She gives 4 markers to her friend. How many markers does Sarah have left?"
Here’s how most kids tackle this:
Read the problem quickly.
Forget half of it.
Panic.
Take a wild guess.
Hope for the best.
Now, let’s break it down, sentence by sentence, and see how this method actually works.
📌 First sentence: Sarah has 3 packs of markers. → STOP.
What do we know? She has 3 packs.
Let’s write that down.
📌 Next sentence: Each pack has 5 markers. → STOP.
What does this mean? We need to figure out how many markers total.
Quick calculation: 3 × 5 = 15
Write it down: Sarah starts with 15 markers.
📌 Next sentence: She gives 4 markers to her friend. → STOP.
What does this tell us? She’s losing 4 markers.
Quick calculation: 15 - 4 = 11
Write it down: She now has 11 markers left.
📌 Last sentence: How many markers does Sarah have left?
Boom. Already solved it. The answer is 11 markers.
See the difference? By pausing, processing, and writing things down as they go, kids don’t have to re-read the whole problem. They’re solving it while they read, so by the time they reach the question, they already have their answer—or at least, they’re in the home stretch.
Why This Is a Game-Changer for Kids with Working Memory Struggles
Kids with working memory issues (which, let’s be real, is a lot of kids) struggle to hold onto information for long periods. So when they read a problem in one go, it’s like pouring water into a leaky bucket—it just doesn’t stick.
But when they stop and process information bit by bit, they’re giving their brains time to actually absorb it.
It’s like listening to a podcast at 1.5x speed—if you don’t pause every now and then, you’re gonna miss something important.
By training kids to slow down and engage with the problem as they read, we’re making sure they don’t just guess their way through but actually understand what’s happening.
How Parents Can Help at Home
Want to try this method with your child? Here’s how to get started:
1️⃣ Give them a pencil and paper and tell them they’re not allowed to hold everything in their heads. They must write something down after every sentence. (A number, a sketch, a calculation—anything!)
2️⃣ Ask them to pause after punctuation marks. Not just periods, but commas too! These natural breaks are the perfect moment to stop and process.
3️⃣ Encourage them to “talk it out.” If they can’t write something down, have them say what they just read in their own words. (“Okay, so she had 3 packs, and each pack has 5, so that means…”)
4️⃣ Celebrate the progress, not just the final answer. Even if they don’t get it 100% right at first, praise them for breaking it down instead of rushing through.
Final Thoughts on the ‘Pause and Process’ Method
Math word problems aren’t impossible—kids just need a better way to approach them.
The secret isn’t reading over and over—it’s breaking things down and processing in small steps.
If your child struggles with word problems, this strategy could be the missing link to making math actually make sense.
And if you want expert help teaching your child how to decode word problems without the stress, frustration, or math tears? That’s what we do at Math Wizdom.
Ready to see a difference? Let’s chat! Book a session today, and let’s turn word problem panic into problem-solving confidence. 🚀
Common Pitfalls and How to Overcome Them
So, you’ve introduced your child to the Pause & Process (a.k.a. Stop & Think) Method, and at first, things are clicking. They’re actually slowing down, jotting things down, and tackling problems in smaller bites.
But then—uh oh—old habits creep back in. They rush through the problem. They highlight every number on the page like it’s a neon sign. They forget what they were even solving for. Sound familiar?
Here’s the deal: Even the best strategies can backfire if kids slip into autopilot mode or fall back on old habits. But don’t worry—I’ve seen all of these pitfalls before, and I’ve got solutions for every single one.
Let’s break down the most common roadblocks—and how to steer your child around them like a math-savvy GPS.
🚧 Pitfall #1: Rushing to the End
Some kids treat word problems like a race—the faster they finish, the better. They’re so eager to be done that they speed past the important details, skip the mental checkpoints, and rush to the final answer… which is often wrong.
This is like trying to finish a puzzle without making sure the pieces actually fit.
How to Overcome It:
✅ Set a Timer for Each Step. Instead of rushing, have them take 10 seconds per punctuation break to process what they just read.
✅ Praise Thoroughness Over Speed. Let them know that accuracy > speed. Completing a problem quickly means nothing if the answer is wrong.
✅ Use a “Slow Down” Cue. If they’re flying through the problem, have them physically pause—put the pencil down, take a deep breath, and then move forward with intention.
🚧 Pitfall #2: Getting Lost in Numbers (or Distracting Details)
Ah, the classic fluff trap.
Some word problems throw in extra details—numbers that don’t matter, unnecessary backstories, or distractions that trick kids into overthinking.
Example:"Emily bought 3 books for herself and 2 for her friend. She also bought 2 posters. Each book costs $7 and each poster cost $3. How much did Emily spend on books?"
A kid stuck in Fluff Land might focus on “herself” vs. “her friend” and, not to mention the posters, completely miss that all they need is 5 × 7.
How to Overcome It:
✅ The “Is This Important?” Check. After each pause, ask: “Is this detail needed for solving the problem, or is it just extra?”
✅ Only Highlight the Numbers That Matter. Teach them to circle the numbers they actually need and ignore the rest.
✅ Reframe the Problem in One Simple Sentence. Example: “Emily buys 5 books at $7 each.” BOOM. Now it’s just 5 × 7 = 35 without the extra distractions.
🚧 Pitfall #3: Forgetting the Final Question (Without Re-Reading Everything)
Imagine putting together a puzzle without knowing what the final picture is supposed to look like. Some kids get so focused on breaking the problem down that by the time they reach the end, they forget what they were solving for. This leads to random answers that don’t actually address the question.
How to Overcome It (Without Re-Reading Everything):
✅ Prime the Brain First – Before starting, have your child read just the question portion (often the last sentence). This isn’t re-reading—it’s pre-reading to set up what they’re looking for.
✅ Use the "Pause & Process" Strategy Until the End – Instead of reading everything twice, pause at each punctuation mark, process the information, and jot things down so that by the time they reach the final question, they already have the answer or are very close.
✅ Final “Does This Make Sense?” Check – Before writing the final answer, have them quickly glance at what they wrote and ask: “Does my answer actually answer the question?”
This way, they stay focused on the end goal without re-reading aimlessly.
🚧 Pitfall #4: Slipping Back into Old Habits
Let’s be real—change is hard. Kids who are used to skimming, guessing, or rushing through word problems might do great with this method for a while and then suddenly revert back to their speed-reading, panic-guessing ways when they’re tired or distracted.
How to Overcome It:
✅ Celebrate Small Wins. Instead of only praising correct answers, celebrate when they use the Pause & Process strategy correctly.
✅ Make It a Routine. Consistency is key. The more they use this method, the more natural it becomes.
✅ Use Gentle Reminders. If they start skipping steps, ask: “Did you pause after each period? Did you jot something down?”
🚧 Pitfall #5: The “I’m Just Not a Math Person” Mindset
This is the biggest roadblock of them all.
If your child has struggled with word problems for a long time, they might have already decided that they’re just “bad at math.” And once a kid believes that? They stop trying.
But here’s the truth: There’s no such thing as a “math person.” There are just kids who’ve been taught strategies that actually work—and kids who’ve been told to “just read it again” until they feel like throwing their math book out the window.
How to Overcome It:
✅ Share Success Stories. Tell them about other kids (or even family members!) who struggled with word problems but improved with practice.
✅ Remind Them That Math is a Skill, Not a Talent. Just like learning to ride a bike or play an instrument, math takes practice—and mistakes are part of learning.
✅ Encourage a Growth Mindset. Instead of saying “I’m bad at math,” have them reframe it: “I’m still learning how to break down word problems.”
By now, your child has the tools to break down word problems step by step. But strategies only work if they’re consistently practiced. That’s where Math Wizdom makes all the difference—helping kids apply these techniques until they become second nature.
How Math Wizdom Bridges the Gap
By now, we’ve broken down the real reason word problems trip kids up, how to decode them step by step, and the common pitfalls to avoid. But here’s the thing—knowing what to do is one thing, actually making it happen is another.
That’s where Math Wizdom comes in.
We don’t just teach kids how to do math—we teach them how to think through math in a way that makes sense. No more guessing, no more frustration, and no more feeling like they just “aren’t a math person.”
Here’s how we turn word problem panic into problem-solving confidence.
1. Personalized Learning Plans: A Custom Fit for Your Child
Ever tried wearing shoes that are two sizes too big or too small? It doesn’t matter how nice they are—if they don’t fit, they don’t work.
The same goes for math instruction.
Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach in most classrooms, Math Wizdom tailors every session to fit your child’s unique needs. Whether they’re struggling with basic multiplication or advanced algebra hidden inside complex word problems, we adjust the pace, content, and approach to match where they are right now.
📌 Why It Matters:
✔ Your child won’t feel bored or left behind—we meet them exactly where they need support.
✔ The “Pause & Process” method becomes engaging when practice problems connect to their interests and learning style.
2. Targeted Practice for Word Problems (Not Just Random Worksheets)
Let’s be real—handing a kid a generic math worksheet and expecting it to magically solve their word problem struggles is like handing them a cookbook and expecting them to become a chef overnight.
That’s not how learning works.
At Math Wizdom, we focus specifically on the decoding skills needed to tackle tricky word problems. In each session, students get hands-on practice applying strategies like:
✅ Highlighting only the important words and numbers (bye-bye, fluff distractions!)
✅ Drawing diagrams and visualizing problems to make sense of tricky scenarios
✅ Pausing at punctuation to process each step so they never feel lost by the end
📌 Why It Matters:
✔ The more kids apply these strategies, the faster they become second nature.
✔ Repetition with variety—we switch up problem types so they’re prepared for anything, from class quizzes to standardized tests.
3. Building Confidence and Executive Function Skills
You know what’s just as important as solving math problems? Having the mental game to stay focused, organized, and confident while doing it.
Math Wizdom goes beyond just teaching math—we also help students develop the executive function skills they need to tackle multi-step tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
This includes:
✔ Time management strategies (so they don’t rush or waste time re-reading aimlessly)
✔ Organizational skills (so they don’t get lost in numbers and fluff details)
✔ Self-monitoring techniques (so they can check their work and catch mistakes before handing it in)
📌 Why It Matters:
✔ Strong executive function skills = success in ALL subjects, not just math.
✔ Breaking down multi-step tasks makes kids feel more in control and less anxious.
4. Real Results, Real Fast (Because Parents Want Proof)
Let’s be honest—if you’re investing in tutoring, you want to see results.
And with Math Wizdom’s targeted, individualized approach, you won’t have to wait forever to see progress. Improvements in both grades and confidence happen faster than you’d expect.
📌 Why It Matters:
✔ Quick wins keep kids motivated—if they see themselves getting better, they’ll want to keep practicing.
✔ Parents gain peace of mind, knowing their investment is actually delivering tangible progress.
We don’t just hope for results. We make them happen.
5. A Support System for Parents (Because You Shouldn’t Have to Do This Alone)
We get it—life is busy, and as much as you want to be the one helping your child through every single word problem, you don’t always have the time (or patience) for it.
That’s where we come in.
At Math Wizdom, we keep YOU in the loop with:
✔ Regular updates on your child’s progress so you always know how they’re improving.
✔ Extra resources and tips to help reinforce skills at home (without making you feel like you need a math degree).
✔ A team of expert educators who take the heavy lifting off your plate—so you can focus on being supportive, rather than having to become the tutor yourself.
📌 Why It Matters:
✔ Open communication keeps you informed and confident in the tutoring process.
✔ Having an expert in your corner means less stress, less frustration, and more progress.
From Math Struggles to Math Wins
By now, we’ve uncovered the real reason word problems are so tricky, the step-by-step method to decode them, and the pitfalls to avoid. The final piece of the puzzle? Ensuring your child gets the right support to make these strategies second nature.
🚀 No more guessing.
🚀 No more staring at the page, hoping the numbers will rearrange themselves.
🚀 Just clear, confident problem-solving that actually makes sense.
Because let’s be honest—learning a new approach is great, but without regular practice, even the best strategies can fade away.
At Math Wizdom, we specialize in helping kids confidently apply these strategies across different types of problems, grades, and tests. We don’t just teach math—we teach kids how to think through math, ensuring that your investment in their education truly pays off.
Turning Word Problem Struggles Into Math Wins
Word problems don’t have to be the villain of math class. Once kids understand that word problems are more about reading comprehension than raw arithmetic, something incredible happens.
Frustration turns into curiosity. Dread turns into the thrill of solving a puzzle.
That’s the difference a tailored approach makes.
🚀 Your child isn’t bad at math. They’ve just been given the wrong approach.
🚀 Word problems aren’t impossible. They just need to be broken down in a way that makes sense for how kids process information.
🚀 Throwing more repetition at the problem won’t help. But learning how to decode word problems step by step? That’s the game-changer.
And the best part? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
At Math Wizdom, we help kids turn word problems from a source of stress into a solvable challenge—one step at a time.
Does This Sound Like Your Child?
✅ Reads a problem three times and still doesn’t know what to do?
✅ Panics, guesses, or shuts down when numbers are buried in words?
✅ Can do the math but freezes when it’s written in a wordy format?
Then it’s time to stop the frustration and start seeing real results.
Your child isn’t bad at math—word problems just require the right strategy. With the right support, they can go from confused to confident. At Math Wizdom, we don’t just teach math—we unlock real problem-solving confidence. 📅 Book a session today and see the difference🚀
Math isn’t the problem—it’s how it’s being taught. Let’s fix that—together.
Susan Ardila, a renowned leader in math education, specializes in empowering students to overcome learning challenges through personalized strategies and expert support. As the founder of MindBridge Math Mastery, Susan has dedicated her career to transforming struggles into success stories for learners of all abilities. Join our community of achievers and start your child’s journey to math confidence today.
@abdalkaderbnr