3 The Impact of Math Anxiety

When a child experiences math anxiety, it activates the brain’s stress response, much like facing a threat. This can reduce working memory, limit attention, and make it harder to focus on even basic math tasks. Children might freeze during tests, forget steps they’ve practiced, or feel overwhelmed by multi-step problems.

Over time, this can lead to:

• Avoidance of math tasks, both at school and home
• Lower academic performance  in math, even if the child is capable
• Negative self-talk, such as “I’m dumb” or “I can’t do this”
• Gaps in foundational skills, making future learning harder
• Decreased confidence, not only in math but also across subjects

Emotional and Social Consequences

Math anxiety doesn’t stay in the classroom. Children who feel anxious about math often carry these feelings into other parts of life. They may:

• Become frustrated or upset when doing homework
• Withdraw from group activities involving numbers or logic
• Compare themselves negatively to their peers
• Feel embarrassed to ask for help

These emotions can affect how they view themselves as learners. A child who sees themselves as “bad at math” may stop trying, even in areas where they could succeed with support.

A Lifelong Ripple Effect

Research shows that math anxiety in elementary school can carry into adolescence and adulthood. Teens with math anxiety may avoid taking higher-level math courses, which limits career and post-secondary options. Adults with unresolved math anxiety often struggle with tasks like budgeting, managing finances, or helping their own children with homework.

Math confidence, on the other hand, opens doors. Children who feel safe and supported while learning math are more likely to take academic risks, develop resilience, and find joy in problem-solving.

What Can We Do About It?

The good news? Math anxiety is not fixed or permanent. With understanding, patience, and the right supports, children can build confidence and improve their relationship with math.

As parents and educators, we can:

• Normalize mistakes as part of learning
• Praise effort, not just correct answers
• Use games and hands-on activities to make math feel less stressful
• Model a positive attitude toward math, even if we’ve struggled with it ourselves
• Celebrate small wins to build confidence over time

By creating a supportive environment and focusing on growth, we can help children overcome math anxiety, and maybe even learn to love math!