While math can be fun and challenging for some children, it can be a very different experience for others. They can feel anxiety about not getting the answers right and not understanding what is being taught. They may feel frustrated and upset about not doing well in math and may develop a dislike for the subject, making the development of math skills even more difficult.
Common Causes of Math Anxiety
Often, children develop math anxiety when they don’t master early math skills, and then are continually expected to learn additional math when they haven’t yet gained fundamental knowledge. But this is precisely what can happen when children try to struggle to find the correct answers to math problems without understanding the concepts in the first place. School-age children may also see peers excelling in math and develop a belief that they are not as “naturally” good at math as these other children are. This can lead to self-doubt and a reluctance to try harder at improving their own math skills.
How to Handle Math Anxiety
Parents can help a child overcome math anxiety by offering reassurance, practical assistance, and by making it fun. Most of all, they can set the tone by developing a positive attitude toward math themselves, and try to find a way to use numbers as much as they can with their child in everyday life. Here are some ways parents can help their child avoid stress about math.
