5 Reasons for Math Success ;Why the Area Model is Better:
If you have sat at the kitchen table with your child recently, you might have felt a bit lost. You see them drawing boxes and splitting numbers apart instead of just stacking them and “carrying the one” like we did. In my experience, this is the number one source of homework stress today. However, there is a secret I want to share: Why the Area Model is Better isn’t just a curriculum choice; it is a brain-science choice.
The Homework Wall
I remember a student named Maya. She was great at memorizing her times tables, but the moment we hit triple-digit multiplication, she hit a wall. She kept forgetting where to put the “carried” numbers. This is the classic struggle with the standard algorithm. When we shifted to the box method, her eyes lit up. This is Why the Area Model is Better ,it makes the invisible parts of math visible.
Building a Visual Foundation
To understand math, you have to see it. The standard algorithm is like a magic trick; you follow the steps, but you don’t know why they work. Why the Area Model is Better is because it treats numbers like physical space. By breaking $24 \times 35$ into $(20 + 4)$ and $(30 + 5)$, a child sees exactly how much “area” each part occupies. This is essential math help for struggling students because it anchors abstract numbers in reality.
Box method multiplication tips
Try this: Draw a large rectangle on a piece of paper. Have your child “color in” the sections to see which part of the multiplication is the largest. It makes place value click instantly!
Mental Math and Confidence
A huge part of visual math strategies is building mental flexibility. When a child uses the area model, they are practicing “number sense.” They learn that $24$ isn’t just a 2 and a 4; it is 20 and 4. This understanding leads to reading confidence building (and math confidence!) that the standard algorithm simply can’t provide for a beginner.
Visualizing place value for students
According to a 2024 study, students who use visual models like the area model are 30% more likely to solve complex word problems correctly than those who rely solely on rote algorithms.
Area Model vs Standard Algorithm: The Showdown
Let’s be honest: the standard algorithm is faster once you know it. But for a learner, it is full of traps. One missed “zero” in the second row ruins the whole problem. Why the Area Model is Better is because it separates the steps. You multiply the big parts, then the small parts, then add them all up. It is organized, clean, and much harder to mess up.
Area model vs standard algorithm pros and cons
“I used to feel like I was bad at math,” Maya’s mother told me. “But seeing the area model made me realize I just didn’t understand the ‘why’ back in school. Now I can actually help her!”
Preparing for the Future
Believe it or not, Why the Area Model is Better even for high schoolers. When students get to Algebra, they have to multiply things like $(x + 2)(x + 3)$. If they learned the area model in 4th grade, this “new” algebra topic is just the same old box they already know! This is why Common Core math for parents is so focused on these models ,it is playing the long game.
Partial products method benefits
Check out Mashup Math for some incredible visual guides that show how area models transition into high school algebra.
The WebGrade Tutors Difference
At WebGrade Tutors, we specialize in math help for struggling students. We know that one size does not fit all. If your child is struggling with the standard algorithm, we don’t just keep pushing it. We show them Why the Area Model is Better and give them the tools to succeed. Our 1-on-1 sessions focus on building that conceptual “Aha!” moment.
Visual math strategies for confidence
Try this 10-minute math game at home: Give your child a “target” number like 100. See how many different “rectangles” (area models) they can draw that equal that number (e.g., $10 \times 10$, $20 \times 5$, $50 \times 2$).
Supporting Your Learner
You are your child’s first coach. Even if you prefer the old way, trying to see Why the Area Model is Better sends a powerful message to your child: math is about exploring, not just getting the right answer quickly. If the kitchen table battles are getting too heated, it might be time for some professional math help for struggling students.
FAQ Section
Why the Area Model is Better than the standard way?
It is better for learners because it visually represents place value and prevents the common “placeholder zero” mistakes found in the standard algorithm. This provides significant math help for struggling students who struggle with multi-step memory.
Is the box method the same as the area model?
Yes! The “box method” is simply another name for the area model. It is one of the most effective visual math strategies used in modern classrooms today.
Will my child ever learn the standard algorithm?
Absolutely. Most curriculums introduce the area model first to build understanding, then move to the standard algorithm once the child understands Why the Area Model is Better and how the numbers actually work.
How can I help my child with Common Core math for parents?
The best way is to ask them to “teach” you their model. When a child explains the area model to a parent, it reinforces their own understanding and builds reading confidence building in math.
Is online tutoring effective for visual math?
Yes! At WebGrade Tutors, we use digital whiteboards where students can draw their area models in real-time. This makes math help for struggling students interactive and fun.
