How to get over your fear and anxiety around maths
IT’S no secret that South African pupils have historically underperformed in the subject of maths. And, as the country heads into a digital future powered by the fourth industrial revolution, the need for higher maths acumen in our matriculants and graduates grows exponentially.
However, we can never reach that stage unless, our pupils overcome their fear and anxiety of this subject.
How do you tackle maths anxiety? It starts with understanding exactly where it comes from.
What causes maths anxiety?
When faced with a task that requires maths, many could perceive danger from:
♦ Social threats – such as humiliation, exclusion and being left behind
♦ Fear of failure – being asked to do something the pupil experiences as too hard through insufficient scaffolding, context or meaning.
Research has shown so far that these are common contributing factors to maths anxiety across different ages and stages of life.
How do we overcome maths anxiety?
♦ Support pupils from as early as the foundation phase, to develop maths talk by introducing mathematical concepts and language in a way that young children already understand, such as through discussing sharing .
♦ Build mathematical resilience by encouraging mathematical engagement.
♦ Go beyond the textbook to provide tangible and relatable real-world examples that pupils can relate to in their own lives·
♦ Teachers should be encouraged to allow more thinking time before asking for responses to questions.