Maths Anxiety: The Real Monster This Halloween
Halloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. But when it comes to maths, fear is optional. Fractions aren’t frightening, and times tables don’t have to feel like monsters under the bed. However, for many people, maths anxiety is a real and daunting issue. According to research, around one in five adults in the UK feels anxious when faced with numbers, and over 20% of secondary maths teachers say they’ve experienced maths anxiety themselves.
The Prevalence of Maths Anxiety
The problem is that maths anxiety doesn’t always match ability. A study by the Nuffield Foundation found that many children who struggle with confidence in maths are actually performing at or above average. It’s not about what they can do, it’s about what they believe they can do. This disparity can have serious consequences, as maths anxiety can block working memory, making it harder to solve problems that a child would normally get right. In fact, research has shown that even small amounts of anxiety can significantly impact maths performance.
The Impact of Maths Anxiety
The impact of maths anxiety can be far-reaching. For some children, especially during the tricky transition from primary to secondary school, maths anxiety can make them “switch off” from maths altogether. This can have long-term consequences, as underachievement in maths can impact social mobility and even reduce lifetime earnings by hundreds of thousands of pounds, as highlighted by the Financial Times. It’s a vicious cycle: anxiety reduces performance, which then fuels more anxiety.
Breaking the Cycle of Maths Anxiety
Fortunately, maths anxiety is treatable. In fact, confidence is often a better predictor of maths success than grades alone. Studies have shown that many girls, for example, outperform boys at GCSE level, yet are less likely to pursue maths further because they don’t feel confident enough. Building a positive relationship with maths early on matters, as it helps children learn that mistakes aren’t scary, they’re part of the process. With the right support, children can develop a growth mindset and overcome maths anxiety.
A Positive Relationship with Maths
So this Halloween, let the ghosts do the scaring. Because while Halloween is meant to be spooky, maths doesn’t have to be. By promoting a positive and supportive learning environment, we can help children develop a love of maths that will last a lifetime. For more information on how to help your child overcome maths anxiety, visit Here
