Math anxiety has become more common in today’s youth, with an alarming increase in the trend in recent years. Most children dislike the idea of doing math, and the majority of them dread it.
Even with small amounts of math-related tasks, many kids show signs of apprehension, distress, and even avoidance. In this article, we will explore the causes of math anxiety in children, as well as how parents can limit this anxiety, and what institutions can do to better manage it.
Introduction
Math anxiety can be defined as a fear or sense of dread of mathematics, or any activity which involves the use of numerical or mathematical reasoning. Its origins are highly debated, however, there are numerous possible causes and contributing factors that can lead to the manifestation of math anxiety in children.
Some of these causes can be traced to parents, teachers, or even to the child themselves. No matter the impetus, it can be a long-term and burdensome problem for both children and adults.
Ineffective teaching and parental influence
One potential cause of math anxiety can be attributed to the approach of teachers in a classroom setting. With increasingly large student-teacher ratios and lack of time, effective mathematics teaching can become extremely difficult to accomplish. If a teaching approach is deemed ineffective by students, they may become disengaged and suffer from a lack of understanding of content.
Subsequently, they may become frustrated and develop a fear of math. Along the same vein, if the child has a parent who expresses their dislike for math or has a negative view on mathematics, this can be passed onto the child and may lead to the development of their own math anxiety.
This could involve statements such as “I was never good at math” or “Math is too hard. ” If this type of behavior is repeated often, it can be enough to lower the child’s self-esteem and cause them to be fearful of the subject, in turn leading to significant math anxiety.
Difficulties understanding and social pressures
Difficulties understanding the material, or poor math skills can naturally give rise to exclusion and a feeling of “not belonging” in the classroom. This, combined with the various expectations imposed by teachers and peers, can give the impression to the student that they are not performing well.
Such situations can become stressful for any student, but for some this can become so stressful it sinks them into a state of fear and dread. Further, these misconceptions that one is not a “capable mathematician” can be quite damaging and long-lasting.
The impact of math anxiety
Math anxiety can be a debilitating problem for those who suffer from it. It can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, which can lead to a wide array of consequences.
This includes the child exhibiting signs of distress and pressure, possibly leading to the avoidance of math-related tasks, or the use of outside help (which could lead to an increase in cheating). Moreover, it could lead to more serious consequences such as social and emotional issues and a reduced chance of entering post-secondary education.
Ways in which parents and institutions can limit math anxiety
It is imperative that both parents and institutions take steps to reduce the levels of math anxiety in children. Parents should not express any negativity towards math and should instead foster an environment in which their child feels comfortable and is ever-encouraged to practice and cooperate with the subject.
Schools should ensure they use an effective teaching approach, alongside frequent assessments and tests to aid in properly measuring student-learning.
Making mathematics fun and accessible to children
One of the main goals for teachers, parents, and institutions should be to make mathematics fun and inclusive for all students. This could involve the use of creative teaching tools and multimedia, as these mechanisms can help to make the material approachable to students, as well as help them engage with the subject in a entertaining manner. Further, video games can be used as an effective and creative way to teach and consolidate mathematical concepts.
Using alternative methods for helping to reinforce numerical digest
In addition to making mathematics approachable in a classroom environment, alternative methods of instruction and teaching can be used to reinforce basic math concepts. This could include worksheets, word problems, and card-sorting activities, where the goal is to encourage students to discuss and practice basic math rules in a comfortable and sociable environment, as well as to develop the confidence needed to tackle more difficult concepts.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a psychological treatment approach which works to modify unfavorable behaviors and thought patterns of individuals. This could be an effective tactic for children, who appear to be unable to appropriately regulate their feelings and emotions about mathematics.
In this context, CBT could involve looking for patterns to note why certain behaviors or emotions arise when doing mathematics, as well as establishing problem-solving techniques and conversational responses to aid in these circumstances.
Developing support networks
Finally, developing a supportive environment for a child can be an instrumental factor for their reduced stress and anxiety. This may include extended family, friends, or even peers to provide the child with a safe-haven from any mathematical woes. Providing the child with a network of people they can talk to and express feeling to can be a great source of leverage and may effectively reduce the levels of math anxiety they suffer from.
Conclusion
In conclusion, math anxiety can be an extremely troubling issue for children, and its causes can range from ineffective teaching, to dysfunctions with the student themselves. It is therefore essential that both parents and educational institutions take proactive measures to help reduce math anxiety, such as making the subject more inviting and fun, developing alternative methods to reinforce basic math concepts, and providing a strong support network when the child is in need.
Doing so could help reduce math anxiety, as well as enhance students’ performance in mathematics.