How to Get Over Math Anxiety: 4 Proven Tips
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on June 21, 2024
Mathematical anxiety is a common struggle for many people, young and old. Meanwhile, it is especially damaging to school students. As older people can choose what to study and where to work, kids don’t have this advantage.
But what if we told you there’s a way to crush this fear and even start to really enjoy STEM subjects? Check this article to determine 6 main tips on how to get over math anxiety.
Symptoms of math anxiety
Math anxiety symptoms include both mental and physical state:
- Dread of any numbers and overall devastation
- Negative self-talk about academic and personal life
- Lack of motivation and procrastination, even in non-school activities
- Muscle tension
- Constant dizziness and nausea that can’t be cured with medications
All those signs show that a student is constantly stressed out. If you think your child has a fear of math, it’s crucial to help them once you see the first signs of it. That way, you’ll help your kid to become more confident, boosting even soft skills.
How to overcome math anxiety with Brighterly?
Brighterly help your child overcome math anxiety by using an interactive approach and online activities. Each student will get a personal tutoring plan tailored to their needs. It ensures they grasp concepts before moving on, building confidence and reducing their math phobia.
Brighterly’s tutors are patient and kind. They create a safe space for your child to ask any math-related question. We don’t judge them for mistakes, as it’s a natural part of the progress.
The positive and supportive environment at Brighterly helps students with math anxiety boost hard and soft skills. You can try the first lesson for free to get personalized curriculum recommendations now!
How to help students with math anxiety
To help students with anxiety, build positive associations around STEM subjects, create a supportive environment, and help your kid become more confident. Math phobia is still a barrier to learners, but with the right approach, it’s manageable.
- Shift mindsets
- Build positive associations
- Equip students with tools
- Create a supportive environment
Shift mindsets
Help students to cultivate a “growth mindset” by highlighting effort over outcome. Praise them for their hard work and determination. If they show you an almost perfect score, provide them with an additional reward. For exceptional course grades, you can give them a memorable payoff like a Disneyland trip or a new gaming console.
Shift a child’s mindset from anxiety to stress-free learning
Meanwhile, you should normalize mistakes to deal with math anxiety. School is about learning, and mistakes are a natural part of the process. Show students that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.
Build Positive Associations
Implement math into daily situations. When children know how to use it in daily situations, they may start to like it.
Talk about calculations with excitement and curiosity, showing them how to use numbers in cooking, shopping, etc. If your child is scared of math, avoid using any negative terms about their performance.
Equip Students with Tools
Don’t just focus on memorizing formulas. Help your child understand the concepts, so they will realize the importance of math. It will let them apply their knowledge in real life.
Don’t be afraid to try multiple approaches. Let your students experiment, as it helps them overcome math anxiety faster.
If you know that kid has a fear of numbers, don’t fuel it
Create a Supportive Environment
Let your child ask you anything even if it’s not math-related. They should know you are glad to hear their thoughts. Later, they begin to share with you their math struggles. Use that info to help them become better.
Remember, that you are not Freddie Mercury or David Bowie. Your kid shouldn’t live under pressure.
Consider your family as Mika’s song. Relax and take it easy. Relaxation is one of the best methods of reducing math anxiety.
Andrew Fayad, CEO at ELM Learning, supports this friendly approach:
“Build a nurturing environment where youngsters will feel comfortable expressing their concerns.”
What can be done before learning a new mathematical concept to reduce math anxiety?
Before your child with math anxiety learns a new concept, ensure they understand the previous material. It will fuel their fear if they don’t know what to do. Skim through the previous and new topics with them.
Look for connections between the new concept and things you already know or find interesting. It can make the material more relevant and engaging. We also recommend finding a quiet place with the fewest distractions.
If your child is still shocked by the previous chapter, don’t teach them new things. Let the previous knowledge be absorbed.
Evan Copeland from Fusion Academy, supports those recommendations:
“I've found that students who have anxiety in mathematics don't want to be viewed as incompetent.”
What are the steps used to overcome math anxiety?
- Develop a growth mindset
- Normalize mistakes.
- Focus on understanding concepts, not just formula memorization.
- Learn multiple approaches
- Break down problems
- Use relaxation techniques
- Create a supportive environment
- Find a tutor or study buddy
How to deal with math anxiety?
To deal with math anxiety, implement a growth mindset and build real-world applications. Once children find a way to use numbers in real life, they will be less terrified of STEM subjects. Ensure that the kid understands the logic behind complex concepts. If they forget something, just repeat the concept until they recollect their knowledge.
Conclusion
The leading causes of math anxiety are related to the fact that a person doesn’t understand the logic behind some math concepts. This uncertainty drags their confidence down, leading to anxiety.
Brighterly’s unique approach combines expert tutors, a fun interactive platform, and a focus on building a positive relationship with STEM subjects. Our tutors help your kid cope with math anxiety and master their skills for long-term success. They will build a child’s confidence to excel in class and beyond.
Don’t let math anxiety limit a child’s potential. Take the first step towards a brighter future with Brighterly. Sign up for a free trial class today and see how Brighterly tutors help children conquer anxiety and unlock the world of possibilities!
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