Math Anxiety - 'Do Not' Therapy

Photo Credit: M.T ElGassier

Mathematics, a big part of school and daily life, comes standing like a scary monster for many young students. This worry, known as "math anxiety", can hold back learning and progress. But here's a plan to fight it: "DO NOTs" It can be considered as therapy to help beat math anxiety and make learning better for such young students. Let's break them down with facts.

1. DO NOT Rush: Take Time to Get It

A study from Stanford University's Center for Teaching and Learning found that taking your time to understand problems is key. It helps ease the fear that comes with math.

When we rush through math, we get more anxious. The pressure to solve math problems quickly can exacerbate anxiety. Encourage students to take their time, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem thoroughly. Realize that comprehension is the foundation for accurate problem-solving, and speed will naturally improve with practice.

2. DO NOT Skip Basics: Build Your Math House

Mastery of fundamental concepts is instrumental. Skipping them to reach advanced topics may seem tempting, but this can lead to confusion later on. Missing out on basic stuff shakes your confidence, says research by psychologist Sian L. Beilock from the University of Chicago. Think of it like building a strong house. You need solid blocks at the bottom. The same goes for math—get the basics right.

3. DO NOT Compare: Grow at Your Speed

Comparing yourself with others makes maths anxiety worse. Psychologist Carol Dweck's research says we should focus on getting better ourselves. It's like a plant growing in its own time, not racing against others. Foster a classroom atmosphere that values individual progress.

4. DO NOT Neglect Practicality: Math in Real Life

Math isn't just on paper, it is not an abstract concept, it is all around us. Research shows that when you use math in real life, it sticks better. Think about using math to shop or budget—real-life stuff that makes math less scary.

Showcase real-world examples where these basics find practical application – like using fractions while cooking or calculating discounts while shopping. Highlight real-life instances where diverse skills lead to success, such as artists using geometry to create intricate designs. Demonstrate how algebraic equations can be used to calculate budgets or plan travel expenses.

A walk-through into its applications in everyday life helps students reduce the fear of the unknown.

5. DO NOT Fear Questions: Ask Away

Questions are great for learning, says the American Psychological Association. It's like exploring new places by asking directions. So, ask questions about math—there's no shame in it. In practical terms, think of how asking questions leads to better understanding in other areas of life.

6. DO NOT Overwhelm: Step by Step Wins

Breaking big things into smaller steps works. This Harvard project agrees. It's like learning to ride a bike—one step at a time. Mathematics is the same; it gets easier with small steps.

Do not overload students with too much information in a single lesson, as it can lead to cognitive overload. By comparing it to learning a musical instrument, where mastering one note at a time eventually leads to playing complex melodies, students can appreciate the incremental learning process.

7. DO NOT Memorize Blindly: Know What You're Doing

Memorizing without understanding won't stick for long. Studies show that when you understand math, you remember better. It's like knowing why ingredients are in a recipe—it helps you cook better. Same with math, understanding formulas allows students to adapt them to various problem scenarios.

8. DO NOT Avoid Mistakes: Learn from Them

Mistakes aren't bad; they teach us. Mistakes are stepping stones to success. Psychologist Carol Dweck's work shows that learning from mistakes helps us grow.

Think of it like getting better at dancing after falling a few times. Consider learning to ride a bike – falling isn't failure, but a part of learning balance. Similarly, math mistakes are opportunities for growth, leading to improved problem-solving skills.

9. DO NOT Isolate Math: Connect to Other Subjects

Mixing math with other subjects makes it interesting. Top schools like MIT do it. Studies from the University of Washington say it's smart too. It's like mixing colors to create new ones. Math plus other subjects equals better learning.

Math isn't isolated. Much like blending ingredients from different cuisines creates a fusion dish, math's integration with science, art, and even music yields a richer educational experience.

10. DO NOT Underestimate Emotions: Stay Calm

Mindfulness works for math too. Scientist Daniel Kahneman's idea of "Thinking, Fast and Slow" fits here. Staying calm helps our thinking. Mindfulness also helps with math, keeping the balance.

Acknowledge the emotional aspect of learning. Draw a parallel with sports training – just as athletes practice mindfulness to perform well under pressure, students can benefit from stress-relief techniques to enhance math performance.

These "DO NOTs" are your secret weapons against math anxiety. They're proven by science to work. As teachers and parents, we can use them effectively to help young students beat math worries. Math, once scary, can turn into an adventure with these simple rules put to practice in life.