Maths anxiety: the numbers are mounting

guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 April 2012

Flora Brian was doing fine in maths when she was six, but she would sometimes come up with strange solutions to math problems, which became worse after she moved to another school two years later. It was discovered that there was a gap between her literacy and numeracy achievements in such a way, that specialists thought she could be suffering from dyscalcula. It was only after Flora had been taken to a educational psychologist, that it was discovered that Flora had anxiety attacks when math was taught in class. In fact, it is estimated that more than 2 million schoolchildren in England are facing anxiety attacks with math in a way that can be compared with an anxiety for snakes or spiders. Research in the U.S. in the 50s, showed that the fear centers in the brain showed similar anxiety attacks when it came to spiders as to trying to solve a math problem. As a result, the problem solving areas in the brain are not functioning well, making it more difficult to find the right answers.

So, having proven this, what could be done about it? Students should be given compliments when they are solving math problems and be encouraged on the way, so they will be more self confident to solve difficult math issues. Building confidence in students takes time, and teachers should take time to establish sound basics in math. Furthermore, breathing and relaxation exercises have proven to decrease math anxiety. Flora benefited from getting support to establish a sound understanding of basic math and a reacted well to a more relaxed attitude towards solving math problems. She has felt happier ever since and has more self confidence.

Reaction

In the Netherlands the government is focusing on better math and language results in both primary but also in secondary school. Secondary schools have to test their students on their levels of language and math. Math has always been bigger problem than language. In the pilot math test that was done at our school, the results were disastrous. Hardly anyone achieved the required level in math. Students in general have a very poor understanding of basic maths, which makes them very insecure. This is why we are introducing a basic math program for next year, in which we will explain the basics of math again in order to give the students a sound understanding of math before they pursue their school career on a higher (MBO) level.