You were fine at maths at school. Not brilliant, but fine. And then your child brought home a Year 5 worksheet, and you realised you had absolutely no idea how they were supposed to do it. Not because you've forgotten — but because it looks completely different from how you were taught.

This is one of the most common experiences parents have with primary school homework, and it is not a reflection of your maths ability. It is a reflection of how significantly the national curriculum has changed. Here is what is going on, and what you can actually do to help.

Why modern maths looks so different

The primary maths curriculum in the UK (and many other countries) has shifted significantly in the last twenty years, moving away from rote learning of procedures towards building genuine conceptual understanding. Children are now taught to understand why a method works before they are asked to apply it efficiently.

This means children encounter methods like the grid method for multiplication, part-whole models for number bonds, and bar models for problem-solving — none of which most parents ever encountered at school. These methods are not dumbed down or simplified. They are often more conceptually rigorous than the methods we were taught. But they look alien if you haven't seen them before.

The result: a parent who is genuinely competent at maths can stare at their child's worksheet and have no idea what is being asked, not because the maths is beyond them, but because the presentation is unfamiliar.

Important: Do not try to teach your child the method you remember. If your method differs from what their teacher taught, it will confuse your child and can undermine their confidence in the method they've been given. Your job is to support the learning, not to re-teach it.

The topics that catch parents out most

Fractions

Adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, multiplying fractions, finding fractions of amounts, converting between fractions, decimals and percentages. Fractions are the single topic that generates the most parental confusion because the rules are non-obvious and the notation is easily misread.

💡 If your child is stuck on fractions, the key question is: what exactly is the question asking? Identify that first before trying to help with the method.

Long division

The "bus stop" method looks nothing like the long division most parents learned. Children are also taught chunking (repeated subtraction) as a conceptual precursor. If you try to teach the method you remember, you may be teaching something their teacher hasn't introduced yet — or a method that conflicts with their current understanding.

💡 If you can see the answer but can't explain the method, say so honestly. "I can see the answer is X but I'm not sure how you're supposed to get there — let's find out together."

Ratio and proportion

Introduced formally in Year 6, ratio and proportion trips up many parents because it's taught using multiplicative thinking (scale factors) rather than the additive approaches many adults fall back on. The bar model is commonly used here — a visual representation that is genuinely helpful once you've seen it, but baffling if you haven't.

💡 The most common error parents make here is adding where they should be multiplying. If the question involves a scale factor, check whether your instinct to add is correct before sharing it.

Negative numbers

Subtraction with negative numbers — particularly expressions like 5 − (−3) — is counterintuitive for many people. The visual number line approach used in schools is actually the clearest way to handle it, but parents who were taught a rule ("two minuses make a plus") often struggle to explain the concept.

💡 Draw a number line. Point to where you start, then move in the right direction. The visual approach is more reliable than remembering rules.

Early algebra

In Year 6, children begin working with simple algebraic expressions and equations. Many parents have a visceral negative reaction to the word "algebra" based on secondary school experiences. The primary version is genuinely accessible — but if you approach it with anxiety, your child will pick that up.

💡 Treat the letter as a mystery number. "What number could go in this box to make the equation true?" is exactly how primary algebra should be approached.

What you can actually do to help

Ask before you tell

Before you say anything about how to do the question, ask your child what they already know about it. "Have you done questions like this at school?" and "What did your teacher say about this?" give you crucial information — and they activate the child's own memory, which is more effective than your explanation.

Make it concrete

When abstract methods fail, go physical. Fractions of amounts can be demonstrated with actual objects — 3/4 of 12 sweets is three groups of four. Negative numbers make immediate sense on a thermometer or number line drawn on paper. Ratio is clearer with blocks of different colours. Physical objects make abstract concepts tangible.

Look up the method together

There is no shame in saying "I'm not sure how this is done — let's find out." Looking it up together models intellectual curiosity, normalises not knowing, and often surfaces the exact method your child's teacher used. Most schools have curriculum overviews on their websites showing exactly what methods are taught in which year group.

Use a tool that explains the method correctly

If you can't explain a question in a way that matches how their teacher would explain it, photograph it with Ask Learno. You get a step-by-step explanation of the method — aligned with how the topic is taught in primary schools — plus a practice worksheet on the same skill. You don't need to understand the method yourself. You just need to be present while your child works through it.

You don't need to be good at maths to help your child. Your role is to provide a calm environment, help them get started, and know where to get help when you're both stuck. Being honest about not knowing — and showing how you find out — is a more valuable lesson than any method you could teach.

The confidence factor

One of the most significant things parents can do for their child's maths is to not express their own maths anxiety in front of them. Research consistently shows that parental attitudes to maths transfer to children — particularly from mothers to daughters. If you find yourself saying "I was always rubbish at maths" or "I hated maths at school," try to reframe those comments in front of your child.

The message you want to send: maths is learnable. Getting stuck is part of the process. Not knowing how to do something yet is not the same as not being able to.

Stuck on a maths question?

Photograph any primary school maths question and get a step-by-step explanation using the method your child's school would use — plus a practice worksheet to consolidate the skill. 7-day free trial.

See how it works →

Frequently asked questions

Why is primary school maths taught differently now?

The curriculum has shifted towards conceptual understanding rather than procedural recall. Children are taught multiple methods that build number sense before moving to efficient written methods. The methods look different but are often more rigorous than what most parents were taught.

What maths topics do parents find hardest to help with?

Fractions, long division (bus stop method), ratio and proportion, negative numbers, and early algebra. These are all areas where school methods differ significantly from what most parents learned.

Do I need to be good at maths to help my child?

No. Your role is to support, not to teach. Providing a calm environment, helping them start, and knowing how to get help when you're stuck is everything you need to do.

What should I do when I can't explain a maths question?

Photograph it with Ask Learno to get a step-by-step explanation using the method the school would use. Then work through it with your child — you don't need to understand the method yourself in advance.