Mathematical Anxiety In Children
Math anxiety in children is a fairly common disorder. What happens to them is a feeling of intense pressure and a lot of nervousness when having to perform mathematical operations in public. Although it is a simple multiplication, both children and adults simply cannot tolerate it.
The particularity of math anxiety in children and adults is that it does not distinguish between IQ. It can happen as much to an infant who is just taking his first steps in that field as to someone with a college degree under his arm.
It could be considered as a kind of phobia of numbers. Far from being “strange phenomena”, those who suffer from it should know that there are extensive scientific studies on this psychological condition.
Not only does this fear attack them with calculations worthy of a blackboard from an engineering class; on the contrary, a very common place where it flourishes is in restaurants, when dividing the bill.
What symptoms does math anxiety have?
An individual may notice that they suffer from this problem when they detect the following signs:
- Sweaty hands and forehead.
- Trembling in the pulse.
- Difficulty breathing and speaking.
- Restlessness and impatience.
- Absolute inability to concentrate and stay calm.
It has even been reported that the brain releases cortisol, the stress hormone, when faced with this situation. The funny thing, moreover, is that the same regions of the brain that function when the person is injured are activated.
In children, math anxiety often manifests itself in the form of rejection. They will not be willing to carry out the tasks that are requested of them. Nor will they show a predisposition to overcome this difficulty in learning. What’s more, it can also affect kids with good performance in this subject.
Causes of math anxiety in children
First of all, it should be noted that math anxiety should not be confused with dyscalculia. The latter refers to a learning difficulty in the mathematical field itself, but not to an aversion of the person towards it.
Regarding the causes, the reasons why mathematics is more conflictive than other subjects have not yet been determined. One thing that is certain is that children see her as a threat; a kind of test that, sooner or later, they will have to face and try to come out on top.
For this reason, the amygdala, a gland that acts when a person feels close to danger, is activated in them. One explanation may be being afraid of failing a test.
Although this may occur in other subjects, mathematics has a peculiarity: it is that there are no gray or ways to “make up” an answer to hide our ignorance. There are only two options: good or bad. Usually, in addition, there is also a clear path to reach it.
On the other hand, there may also be some lack of self-esteem. That is, the child knows that he can do the math well, but mistrusts his ability not to make any mistakes in the process.
Other origins of this disorder can be found in the insecurity or inability of the teacher to transmit knowledge safely. It can also be a poor transmission by parents, either by suffering from it too or by putting too much pressure on their little ones.
How to deal with math anxiety in children?
Generally, those who seek to overcome this fear resort to psychological therapy. In the case of children, it will be the parents who should promote and promote this treatment. That is why it is so important that you get involved and watch your children’s progress in school.
Aversion therapy is a frequent resource to deal with it. This consists of facing fear in order to learn to overcome it.
It is a method that can be applied even at home in a simple way. How? Just sit next to your child and tell him that you have calculations to do too. So you can help him and then ask him to be the one to help you, so that together you can overcome that unfounded fear that paralyzes him.
To many it may sound like something unimportant or like a minor disorder. However, some studies characterize it as “epidemics” in countries, including Spain. Also, of course, phobias are not at all pleasant for those who suffer from them.
So if you see that your child has an unfounded rejection of numbers and accounts, evaluate if it is not a case of math anxiety. If so, do not hesitate to make a professional consultation to get him out of that problem as soon as possible.
