According to a study conducted by KPMG, 35 percent of adults admitted that doing maths makes them anxious. 1 in 5, in fact, stated that it makes them so fearful they become physically sick.
Maths anxiety affects many students (and adults), hindering academic progress, influencing choice of careers, as well as daily tasks such as paying bills or planning for retirements. The good news is that with the right intervention, students suffering from maths anxiety can build confidence and improve their mathematical abilities.
In this article, we’ll explore how primary maths tuition can help address maths anxiety and delve into its different manifestations.
What is Maths Anxiety
In short, “maths anxiety” is the fear or worry of performing maths calculations. This apprehension can cause students to feel panicked at the thought of doing maths, which, in turn, impedes their ability to think clearly and solve problems.
Depending on the individual, this condition can present itself through panic, tense muscles, increased heart rate, sweaty palms and lightheadedness. Students with maths anxiety may also struggle with low confidence, believing that they are innately bad at maths, leading to a lack of enjoyment in the subject. Thankfully, working on maths problems with a tutor can help address maths anxiety.
How Tutoring Can Help Reduce Maths Anxiety
In a study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine, researchers discovered that maths anxiety can be alleviated through one-on-one tutoring programmes. The study suggests that the same principles used in treating phobias (that is to say, exposure) might help reduce maths anxiety.
At MindSpace, we recognise that traditional learning methods might not be enough to cater to each child’s individual needs, and may even create negative mindsets about learning. This is why we’ve developed proprietary learning techniques, such as the Optimal Flow Method™, to empower children with the confidence they need to succeed in their exams and reduce their negative perceptions about learning difficult subjects such as maths.
Our approach eschews the traditional rote learning method in favour of strategies that entail breaking down topics into easily digestible concepts, and building on existing knowledge so that children can more effectively understand and recall what they study.
Final Thoughts
Maths anxiety is a phenomenon that has plagued, and continues to plague, many young learners. With the right support and teaching methods, we can help your children overcome this challenge at a young age, before they develop negative attitudes that could affect their academic and career aspirations.
Reach out to us to learn more about how our enrichment programmes are positioned to help your child overcome maths anxiety.