Math can be a problematic area of study for many students. Math anxiety is a real and commonly felt emotion among students who are afraid of making mistakes and struggle to grasp mathematical concepts.
Understanding at what age this fear begins, and why, can help create strategies to prevent it. In this article, we will explore the common contributing factors to math anxiety and the age at which it usually begins to affect a person’s learning development and mental wellbeing.
What is Math Anxiety?
Math anxiety is a psychological phenomenon where an individual experiences an extreme fear of making mistakes or feeling embarrassed when attempting to solve a mathematical problem. The feeling of being overwhelmed with the difficulty of math problems, or having no idea of how to solve them, can cause a person to shut down and feel like giving up. Math anxiety can affect all ages, but it usually starts in early teasing and childhood experiences.
What Causes Math Anxiety?
Math anxiety typically stems from a lack of foundational understanding of the basic concepts of math and the fear of not being able to conduct the math in the right way. When a student hasn’t mastered the basics, they can feel overwhelmed and struggle to keep up.
This can lead to a fear of mathematics and an inability to tackle even the simplest of calculations. This can arise from bad experiences with mathematics as a child, such as negative feedback, unfavorable comparisons to others, or an inability to keep up with the class due to limited resources. Additionally, math anxiety can also be caused by low self-esteem, lack of encouragement, and poor teacher-student dynamics.
At What Age Does Math Anxiety Start?
Math anxiety can start as soon as a child begins interacting with numbers, often as early as preschool. Early interaction with numbers in the form of counting and number games can spark children’s interest in mathematics, helping them to gain confidence in the subject. On the other hand, if the child is put in a negative learning environment, or is subjected to negative experiences regarding mathematics, it can lead to a fear and avoidance of the subject.
Some of the common early signs of math anxiety include having difficulty understanding even the most basic math concepts, a fear of raising one’s hand and asking questions, a fear of being embarrassed, and a lack of confidence.
How to Overcome Math Anxiety?
If you think your child is suffering from math anxiety, there are several strategies you can take to help them overcome it. Encourage them to start small and focus on mastering one concept at a time.
Working through simple problems can build confidence and help them to understand how to solve more difficult ones. Explaining the purpose of each concept they are mastering can also help them make the connection between practical application and the mathematics behind it. It’s also important to create a positive learning environment to help reduce the fear of making mistakes and providing extra resources such as calculators or educational videos to explain concepts.
Is Math Anxiety the Same for All Ages?
The main difference between age groups when it comes to math anxiety is that older students typically suffer from greater frustration and a lack of confidence as they have had more time to become fixated on problematic math concepts. What may be an issue for one child may not seem to be an issue for another of the same age. It is important to address any concerns as soon as they are noticed to prevent them from developing into more complex issues.
Are Girls More Likely to experience Math Anxiety?
Girls are more likely to experience math anxiety than boys, with some studies finding that girls are more prone to feeling anxious about taking a math test or trying to answer a math problem. This reflects the gender stereotypes associated with mathematics where boys are seen as being more naturally ‘math’ orientated than girls. This can lead to girls feeling less confident in their mathematical ability and work, leading to a fear of making mistakes and possibly performing worse on tests and essays.
Does Math Anxiety Lose Effectiveness as Students Age?
Math anxiety can become more difficult to overcome as students get older, as they may have had more time to become fixated on a certain way to do a problem. A fear of making mistakes and having a lack of confidence can become ingrained in students as they move through their academic career. Strategies to help students should be tailored to their age group and particular struggles, as a strategy that works for a two-year-old is unlikely to help a sixteen-year-old.
Are Certain Mental Health Conditions Linked to Math Anxiety?
Certain mental health conditions, such as depression and OCD, can have an effect on a student’s math anxiety. Neurotic behaviors, such as causing obsessive perfectionism, can often contribute to a student’s inability to have faith in their mathematical skills.
The fear of making mistakes can become exacerbated and can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. Mental health professionals and school counsellors can help with identifying triggers and finding ways to manage math anxiety and the associated mental health issues.
Conclusion
Math anxiety can start as early as preschool and can become more ingrained in students as they get older. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this fear, such as gender stereotypes, lack of resources, and mental health conditions.
Creating a positive learning environment while working on simple concepts can help reduce the fear and increase a student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities. With targeted strategies and the right support, students of all ages can start to enjoy their mathematics class and feel more secure in their learning abilities.