Steps to Help Reduce Math Anxiety
By Dallan Hunt
Math skills build on themselves. Think of math like a ladder. Each step builds upon the previous step. When new concepts come around this year, there might be some anxiety associated with learning (or re-learning) math skills.
Fear not! Here are some tips you to share with your child to reduce math anxiety and ensure math success this year:
1. Believe you can do it. Don’t doubt yourself. It’s damaging to your confidence, your mindset, and your grades. It’s not fair to you. Worry can affect your thought processes and your memory. Math is logical. You can understand it with time, practice and perseverance.
2. Participate in math class. Don’t worry about what other kids say. Raise your hand whenever you can. Ask questions, volunteer, and provide answers. Make sure your teacher calls on you as much as he/she calls on others. Be persistent. You’ll find that you know as much as your classmates. This will boost your confidence and before you know it, you’ll be the one other kids look up to.
3. Find a “study buddy” to help you with math assignments, homework, and studying for tests. Having a study buddy will give you confidence, a supportive friend with similar goals, and the friendly challenge you need to stay on track. It’s sometimes easier to ask a study buddy questions you’re not sure how to ask of a teacher. Plus, when your grades begin to rise, you’ll have someone to celebrate with!