Darnell leaned against the doorway, watching his son Marcus fight the same battle for the third night in a row. The numbers weren’t the problem—Marcus could multiply and divide faster than most of his classmates. Yet tonight’s homework came wrapped in words. It wasn’t just math—it was math word problems, and that made all the difference.Darnell leaned against the doorway, watching his son Marcus fight the same battle for the third night in a row. The numbers weren’t the problem—Marcus could multiply and divide faster than most of his classmates. Yet tonight’s homework came wrapped in words. A story problem.
Marcus sighed, eraser in hand. “Dad, I don’t get it.”
Maybe the real issue isn’t math word problems
Darnell pulled out a chair. “Alright, let’s read it together.” As he did, he realized Marcus wasn’t stuck on the arithmetic. Instead, he was stumbling on the story.
Word problems require kids to read carefully, find the hidden math, and then translate words into numbers. For Marcus, however, the words blurred into a state of confusion.
Darnell remembered his own school days—he had felt the same frustration. Now, watching his son wrestle with it, he wondered if the problem was bigger than math.
That night, long after Marcus had gone to bed, Darnell searched online. Eventually, he discovered countless parents facing the same challenge. Experts explained that children often stumble on word problems because they combine reading comprehension with math reasoning (Edutopia, APA).During his search, he stumbled on STEM Prep Tutoring. As he read stories of students who went from overwhelmed to confident, hope began to replace worry.
What Darnell discovered changed everything
The very next day, he spoke with a math tutor from STEM Prep. According to the tutor, solving word problems is like solving a puzzle—students need both reading and math tools.
The tutor shared a few strategies that made immediate sense to Darnell:
- Highlight important words – Circle numbers and underline keywords to avoid distractions.
- Break down sentences – Translate each line into smaller, more manageable steps.
- Draw pictures – Sketching the problem makes abstract ideas concrete.
- Retell the problem – Asking Marcus to explain the question in his own words ensured comprehension.
- Connect to interests – Framing practice around basketball scores or video games kept him engaged.
In addition, the tutor pointed out that many children benefit from extra support in reading. A reading comprehension tutor or a reading and writing tutor can strengthen the very skills word problems demand. Furthermore, for students with dyslexia, specialized tutoring for dyslexia can transform frustration into progress (Understood.org).
A turning point for Marcus
Soon after, Darnell signed Marcus up with an online math tutor. At first, Marcus was shy. However, the tutor’s step-by-step approach clicked right away. When science homework came along, he even tried a session with a physics tutor and later explored tutoring in chemistry.
Within a few weeks, Marcus started approaching word problems differently. Instead of staring at the page, he grabbed his highlighter. Then he broke the problems down, drew quick sketches, and solved with confidence.
One evening, Marcus looked up and grinned. “Dad, I got it!”
For Darnell, that smile was worth everything.
Now, he tells other parents: “Don’t wait until frustration builds. The right support can make a huge difference.”
That’s why STEM Prep Tutoring offers one-on-one math tutoring, reading tutoring, and personalized test prep for PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and the SAT. Whether your child needs a comprehension tutor or a subject-specific boost, help is ready.
👉 Visit STEM Prep Tutoring today, explore our Blog for more parent tips, or go straight to our Contact Us page to connect with a tutor.
Ready to take the next step?
Darnell’s story is just one of many. Struggling with word problems doesn’t mean a child isn’t good at math. Rather, it means they need tools, strategies, and encouragement.
So, if you’re ready to:
- Reach out for expert tutoring, or
- Share your child’s experience in the comments,
The next breakthrough could be yours.
With the right tutor, every child can face word problems with confidence—and win.
