What to Do When Your Child Has Math Anxiety

“My kid just hates math. No matter how hard I try to explain it to him, he just doesn’t get it.”

This is a concern we at SOAR High Tutoring hear from parents all the time. Moms and dads tell us constantly that, no matter how much they try, they just can’t inspire their child to take an interest in their math work. There are lots of reasons why kids might have a math aversion: anxiety, confusion about the subject matter, or just plain boredom. So how can parents help their child overcome the math blues?

⏰Set a timer: If kids are expected to sit rigidly in a chair staring at their assignment for hours until it’s complete, they’re naturally going to get antsy. When your child is doing math homework, set timers for 15, 20, or 30 minutes, and let them work til the timer. Then, give them a five-minute brain break to read, play, or talk before returning to their assignment. It’ll help maintain their stamina AND let them clear their head periodically to keep from getting overwhelmed.

⭐️Embrace a positive attitude about math: Don’t let your child hear you saying things like, “I hated math when I was your age, too.” This negativity is contagious and will feed into your child’s mindset that some people are just naturally bad at math. Share anecdotes with your child about a time when you or a loved one used math in your daily life, and show them how important math skills are.

📚Review completed assignments together: After your child has completed his or her work, sit with them and talk about it. Ask them where they got certain answers and ask them to explain their thinking to you. Ask them which concepts they struggled with and why. The time spent bonding with and validating your child can boost their confidence and alleviate math anxiety.

Math struggles can’t hold your child back.

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