Maths Anxiety in Children: Understanding and Overcoming It
Maths anxiety in children is a real concern that can hinder their learning and overall academic success. As a parent, understanding this phenomenon, its potential causes, and effective strategies to overcome it is crucial in supporting your child's mathematical journey.
What is Maths Anxiety?
Maths anxiety refers to the feeling of fear, nervousness, or discomfort when faced with mathematical tasks or situations. It can manifest as physical symptoms such as sweaty palms, increased heart rate, and even avoidance of maths-related activities altogether.
Causes of Maths Anxiety: Several factors can contribute to the development of maths anxiety in children, including:
Negative experiences: Previous struggles or failures in maths can lead to a lack of confidence and increased anxiety when encountering similar tasks in the future.
Pressure to perform: High expectations from parents, teachers, or peers to excel in maths can create undue stress and anxiety in children.
Learning environment: A learning environment that lacks support or encouragement for struggling students can exacerbate feelings of anxiety.
Gaps in foundation maths: Incomplete understanding of foundational mathematical concepts can create gaps in knowledge, making it challenging for children to access higher-level maths and contributing to feelings of anxiety.
Strategies for Overcoming Maths Anxiety: As a parent, there are several strategies you can implement to help your child overcome maths anxiety:
Positive reinforcement: Encourage and praise your child's efforts rather than focusing solely on the outcome. Celebrate small achievements to build confidence.
Create a supportive environment: Foster a positive attitude towards maths by creating a supportive and non-judgmental learning environment at home.
Break tasks into manageable steps: Help your child tackle maths problems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This can reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
Practice relaxation techniques: Teach your child relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to help them manage stress and anxiety during maths tasks.
Short-term tutoring: Consider enrolling your child in short-term tutoring sessions to address gaps in foundation maths and boost confidence. A focused stint of tutoring can provide targeted support and help your child develop a solid understanding of core mathematical concepts.
Remember, overcoming maths anxiety is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and support. By implementing these strategies and offering consistent encouragement, you can help your child build confidence and develop a positive attitude towards maths.
References:
Suinn, R. M., & Winston, E. H. (2003). The mathematics anxiety rating scale, a brief version: psychometric data. Psychological Reports, 92(1), 167-173.
Hembree, R. (1990). The nature, effects, and relief of mathematics anxiety. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 21(1), 33-46.
Ramirez, G., Gunderson, E. A., Levine, S. C., & Beilock, S. L. (2013). Math anxiety, working memory, and math achievement in early elementary school. Journal of Cognition and Development, 14(2), 187-202.
