How Math Can Provoke Anxiety

Did you know that a high level of math anxiety can feel just as terrifying to a child as seeing a spider is to an arachnophobe? Surprising, right? This isn’t just about avoiding math homework; we’re talking about a genuine impediment to a child’s learning journey.

In a surprisingly heartwarming twist, recent studies explore how certain cognitive factors can mediate the impact of math anxiety on mathematical performance. A study by Elora Taieb and colleagues examined how math anxiety influences children’s ability to solve various math problems in school. By understanding this relationship, we can help children overcome hurdles in their learning journey.

The Science of Struggle

Math anxiety is a combination of apprehension, tension, and even fear when dealing with mathematical tasks. It can happen to anyone at any age, but it’s like a secret monster living under the desk for many school children. Researchers reveal that this anxiety doesn’t just sit there silently—it messes with other brain functions critical to solving math problems, like working memory.

Math Anxiety: The Hidden Classroom Drama

Think of working memory as a mental notepad where kids jot down numbers and calculations in their heads. When kids feel math anxiety, it’s like someone is scribbling all over their notepad, making it hard to read or remember the numbers they need. This can make even simple math tasks feel overwhelmingly complex.

A recent study analyzed 472 French third-graders, showing that among cognitive abilities, working memory was a strong mediator between math anxiety and performance (Taieb et al., 2025). So, when math anxiety kicks in, it’s working memory that often takes the hit, hindering problem-solving and calculation skills.

Why This Matters

Understanding these links is like finding the right key to unlock a box of knowledge. By recognizing that math anxiety affects performance, we can tailor educational interventions that help kids manage this anxiety, enabling them to unlock their true math potential.

The study points out that by focusing educational efforts on boosting working memory and other related cognitive skills, such as symbolic processing, teachers and parents can give kids the tools they need to fight math anxiety head-on.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Teachers

• Practice Mindfulness: Encourage deep breathing and grounding exercises to calm nerves before starting math problems.
• Break Down Problems: Simplify complex problems into smaller, manageable steps to enhance working memory usage.
• Create a Safe Learning Environment: Allow children to make mistakes and learn, reducing the overall pressure and anxiety associated with ‘getting it wrong.’

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

Schools can play a pivotal role by integrating practices that help children tackle math anxiety. Encouraging open discussions around this anxiety can also help normalize it, reducing the stigma associated with struggling in math.

Imagine a school where children aren’t afraid of math but empowered by it. How can we implement policies that support this vision? Perhaps it starts with training educators about math anxiety and providing them with the tools to foster a supportive learning environment.

• What’s the biggest mental health challenge you observe in schools today?
• How can schools better support students’ emotional well-being?
• What’s one school psychology insight that changed the way you parent or teach?

Let’s unite as parents, educators, and advocates to transform how schools approach children’s mental health and learning success. Share this post and join the conversation!