How adults’ maths fear can add up for children

PARENTS and teachers who struggle with maths are passing on their anxieties to children, a study says.

researchers found pupils as young as six suffer from a range of negative emotions in connection with the subject, ‘from rage to despair’.

They said it is causing behaviour problems and should be considered a ‘real concern’.

The Cambridge University study, based on interviews with primary and secondary pupils, found even those who were good at the subject had ‘maths anxiety’. Girls also suffer worse than boys, suggesting parents who believe maths is a boys’ subject are passing on gender stereotypes.

The authors said: ‘Teachers and parents need to be conscious of the fact that their own mathematics anxiety might influence students.’

The study comes after recent reports showing adult numeracy rates are tumbling.