Recognizing Signs of Math Anxiety
It is normal for students to feel anxious before a test. They get nervous about having to recall the information they have studied or correctly perform calculations. However, once many students start taking the exam, their nerves settle as they begin answering questions they know and applying what they have learned.
But math anxiety can be different. It’s not just worrying about a test. It is general feeling of dread, uneasiness, or panic when it comes to math in general. Some students assume that they’re simply not good at math or not a “math person.” This anxiety impacts their performance in class and on tests and assignments. There are ways to overcome these challenges and build confidence once problems are identified.
Here are a few signs that your child may be dealing with math anxiety:
They Doubt Their Abilities
Negative self-talk is a common sign. Your child may get frustrated and say things like they’ll never understand, it doesn’t make sense, they just don’t get it, or they hate math. Even when they get multiple problems correct, they may focus on the ones they miss and let that affect their self-confidence.
They Don’t Participate in Class
Has their teacher let you know that they are quiet during math class and seldom volunteer to solve a problem or answer questions? Does your child complain that they don’t like math class or come up with excuses to skip class? This may be because they are experiencing math anxiety and don’t want to get an answer wrong or have peers think they don’t understand how to do the work. If they’re actively participating in all of their other classes and math is the exception, this could indicate a problem.
They Panic About Tests
Does your child seem to get overly stressed about math exams? Do they worry more about math tests than tests in other classes? They may tell you that they don’t feel good or complain about stomachache, headache, or clammy hands on the day of the test.
They Avoid Math Work
Homework can be a battle on a good day, but with math anxiety, your child may try to get out of doing their math homework. They may deny having any assignments, put them off until last, rush through questions just to finish, or become very frustrated or defeated while doing their work. They might avoid talking about it as well or get upset when you ask about how math class is going or want to see their work.
They Have Poor Test Scores Despite Studying
Another sign of math anxiety can be poor performance on tests, even when you know your child studied and could do the work at home. They may do fine on in-class assignments or homework but not demonstrate that when it comes time for the test. You know they know the material, but they’re unable to effectively show it because they get so anxious during the exam.
Fight Back Against Math Anxiety
The good news is that there are ways to overcome math anxiety. Tutoring is a great place to start. It provides focused, one-on-one support aligned with your child’s specific needs. It can reinforce core concepts and build a stronger foundation to boost their confidence. They can learn strategies to improve their note taking, study skills, and test taking so they feel more prepared and relaxed before a test or when solving problems in class. If math anxiety is impacting your child’s performance, turn to Crafting Scholars to find out how we can help. Contact us today to learn more!
