If your child is in primary school in Singapore, you've probably heard the phrase: "Use the bar model." For many parents, this instruction can feel confusing. What exactly is a bar model? Why do schools use it so frequently? And why does it seem to be such an important part of Singapore primary school mathematics? At By The Roots in Bukit Timah Plaza, we regularly help students who find word problems challenging. One of the most powerful tools we use is the Bar Model Method.

If you've ever heard your child say: "I'm just bad at math." or "I don't get it." you're certainly not alone. As parents, it can be worrying to watch your child struggle with mathematics despite putting in effort. Many families in Singapore find themselves asking the same question: Why is my child struggling with math? The good news is that in most cases, the answer is not because a child lacks ability. After decades of teaching primary school mathematics, we've found that st