Math Anxiety, What is it and How to Prevent It

What is Math Anxiety?

Math anxiety or fear of math is actually quite common. It results from fear. The fear that one won't be able to do the math; the fear that it's too hard, the fear of failure often stemming from a lack of confidence. For the most part, math anxiety is the fear about doing the math right, our minds draw a blank and we think we'll fail and of course the more frustrated and anxious our minds become, the greater the chance for drawing blanks. Added pressure of having time limits on math tests and exams also cause the levels of anxiety grow for many students.

Usually math anxiety stems from unpleasant experiences in mathematics. Typically math phobics have had math presented in such a fashion that it led to limited understanding. Unfortunately, math anxiety is often due to poor teaching and poor experiences in math which typically leads to math anxiety. Many of the students I've encountered with math anxiety have demonstrated an over reliance on procedures in math as opposed to actually understanding the math. When one tries to memorize procedures, rules and routines without much understanding, the math is quickly forgotten and panic soon sets in.

Studies have shown students learn best when they are active rather than passive learners. The theory of multiple intelligences addresses the different learning styles. Lessons are presented for visual/spatial, logical/mathematics, musical, body/kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal and verbal/linguistic. Everyone is capable of learning, but may learn in different ways.

Think about your experiences with one concept - the division of fractions. You probably learned about reciprocals and inverses. In other words, 'It's not yours to reason why, just invert and multiply'. Well, you memorized the rule and it works. Why does it work? Do you really understand why it works? Did anyone every use pizzas or math manipulatives to show you why it works? If not, you simply memorized the procedure and that was that. Think of math as memorizing all the procedures - what if you forget a few?

Students’ prior negative experiences in math class and at home when learning math are often transferred and cause a lack of understanding of mathematics. According to Sheila Tobias, millions of adults are blocked from professional and personal opportunities because they fear or perform poorly in mathematics for many; these negative experiences remain throughout their adult lives.

Math must be looked upon in a positive light to reduce anxiety. A person’s state of mind has a great influence on his/her success. Many games are based on math concepts. Some games that are beneficial to learners and are enjoyed are cards playing, Life, Yahtzee, Battleship and Tangrams.

With all the tension and anxiety, math humor is greatly needed. Young children enjoy cartoons and jokes. (Now I have an excuse for my bad math jokes!)

Myths and Misconceptions
None of the following are true!

• You're born with a math gene, either you get it or you don't.
• Math is for males, females never get math!
• It's hopeless, and much too hard for average people.
• If the logical side of your brain isn't your strength, you'll never do well in math.
• Math is a cultural thing, my culture never got it!
• There's only one right way to do math.

Overcoming Math Anxiety

1. A positive attitude will help. However, positive attitudes come with quality teaching for understanding which often isn't the case with many traditional approaches to teaching mathematics.
2. Ask questions, be determined to 'understand the math'. Don't settle for anything less during instruction. Ask for clear illustrations and or demonstrations or simulations.
3. Practice regularly, especially when you're having difficulty.
4. When total understanding escapes you, hire a tutor or work with peers that understand the math. Mathnasium really DOES help! You can do the math, sometimes it just take a different approach for you to understand some of the concepts.
5. Don't just read over your notes - do the math. Practice the math and make sure you can honestly state that you understand what you are doing.
6. Be persistent and don't over emphasize the fact that we all make mistakes. Remember, some of the most powerful learning stems from making a mistake.