A lot of us don’t like maths
It’s a common thing. There are subjects that people just don’t click with but unlike German in secondary school, maths class is not optional.
While many people dread maths tests and will break out a calculator to make sure they don’t make many mistakes, for some children numbers are just overwhelming.
The term ‘maths anxiety’ has been around for about 50 years now, and yet there is still surprisingly little understanding and training given to it in schools.
The Maths Anxiety Trust defines it as a “negative emotional reaction to mathematics, leading to varying degrees of helplessness, panic and mental disorganisation that arises when faced with a mathematical problem.”
Despite it being difficult for children and parents alike, things can be done to help.
Focus on building confidence
Most children want to be good with numbers. If they are younger, they will likely understand this is something their teachers and parents think is important.
If they are older, they will know it is important for future jobs and careers whichever it is, there’s usually a motivation to improve.
To reduce anxiety, it is important to focus on the positive, showing your child times when they have had success in maths so maybe get them to go over an old worksheet they completed before.
Let them know that they have encouraged challenges and overcome them in the past.
Work alongside your child
Though you may think that leaving your child to figure things out by themselves might be the solution, research shows it does little to relieve their stress.
Show interest in their homework or maybe do some work yourself beside them at the table.
You don’t have to stand our them as they try to figure things out, it’s more about letting them know you’re there if they need you.
Validate their feelings
Fear is not always a bad thing, and everyone experiences anxiety once in a while.
Our body uses this state of apprehension to prepare us in advance to handle stressful or threatening situations. Therefore, fear is there to protect against any experience one can feel is dangerous or cause insecurity.
Parents can help their child to give a new meaning to this emotion, and more importantly a new use for it. For example, if your child is scared of an upcoming maths test try to help them refocus their nerves.
Maybe they could make more time for study to increase there confidence before they sit the exam.
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