By: Ethan Stone

Children as young as 6 years old can suffer from math anxiety, as 93% of the US population experiences fear of math. For many, math anxiety is not just a buzzword—it’s a real psychological barrier preventing children from pursuing STEM-related fields. That proves that fear of math isn’t just a classroom problem in NYC schools—the consequences can be daunting later in life. 

What Causes Math Anxiety in NYC Schools

People who experience fear of math don’t just dislike the subject. Most of them experience physical pain when dealing with numbers. 

According to a 2012 study published in PLOS ONE, when children anticipate doing math, it activates brain regions associated with detecting threats and experiencing pain. Math tutors in NYC also report signs of stress and frustration related to math in children. But where does it all begin? 

Math anxiety in NYC schools usually starts in elementary school. However, as the material becomes more challenging and the looming dread of final exams sets in, some kids begin to feel anxious in middle school.

The interesting thing is, it’s not improving with age. As per 2022 research, 26% of 8th graders are proficient in math, lowering the number from 34% in 2019

Some people develop math anxiety when they haven’t mastered foundational skills. For example, you can’t master fractions if whole numbers aren’t well-practiced. 

And it’s not just about lacking knowledge; math fear can prevent children from acquiring knowledge and getting their feet wet with new math concepts. The overreaction to math drains resources from the brain and prevents them from accessing the skills needed to solve the problem.

Naturally, this type of anxiety can affect children’s academic growth and even their choice of future careers. According to the 2019 research published in the Journal of Numerical Cognition, children affected by math phobia will most likely avoid STEM-related fields. Additionally, fear of calculations also affects people’s ability to manage money and even negotiate salaries.

These factors are also a great reason for the rising math anxiety in NYC schools:

• Ineffective teaching methods 
• Systemic inequality 
• Lack of real-world application
• Fear of public failure

These facts indicate that the US math crisis is still a pressing issue. But how can we help kids with math anxiety in New York?

How You Help Kids with Math Anxiety in New York

There are foolproof methods that can help with overcoming math anxiety. However, it’s important to learn how to detect math anxiety in children. 

Math anxiety is a fear of dealing with math concepts, numbers, and calculations. Symptoms of math anxiety may include:

• Physical symptoms (increased heart rate and perspiration)
• Feelings of worry, unease, and fear
• No interest in math 
• Experiencing difficulty concentrating
• Struggling to remember math facts and concepts

If you notice any of these symptoms, there’s a good chance your student might suffer from math phobia. Here are several methods NYC teachers may use in the classroom (and at home if you’re a parent). 

Be Supportive and Channel a Growth Mindset

If your student or kid doesn’t know how to deal with math anxiety, it’s important to ensure they don’t feel incompetent. Studies show that children who believe they’re incompetent have less motivation and unsatisfactory academic performance.

Create a safe space where any question is a great question. Encourage them with phrases like “You’re doing great!” and be supportive at all times during learning. 

Relate Math to Everyday Situations

As silly as it sounds, you can actually relate every math concept to real life.

For instance, math formulas don’t just exist to confuse children in class; they are used in construction, engineering, and architecture. Once you make that connection, children will feel more confident about learning. 

Use Visual Aids

The use of visual aids like number lines, diagrams, and blocks in your study session can significantly boost children’s retention of math, which will subsequently positively affect math-related anxiety. 

Use Gamified Learning 

When the gamified approach is used, students can feel more confident and relaxed during math learning. Game-based learning reduces anxiety and boosts math retention, which is exactly what anxiety-prone children need. Gamified learning experts can also help kids enhance their problem-solving skills and obtain a deeper understanding of math concepts that they can relate to real-life experiences. 

How to Address Math Anxiety with Brighterly

Math tutoring platforms like Brighterly often emphasize interactivity, gamification, and practical applications of math, which may help make learning more engaging and accessible for students with math anxiety. Brighterly, in particular, regularly updates its curricula to cater to different populations of students, including kids with math anxiety and ADHD.

Brighterly math tutors for elementary and middle school students offer one-on-one, interactive lessons with a focus on personalized learning in STEM subjects, which may help support students who may feel challenged by math.

Finally, Brighterly’s cost per hour starts at $19.50. This is quite budget-friendly, as the average hourly rate for a math tutor in the US is $40. Brighterly also offers a month-to-month subscription with no long-term commitments, unlike most competitors.

What’s Next: How do we Deal with Math Fear?

Math anxiety can manifest differently for every kid, and it’s important educators and parents can spot it in time.

Still, math does not have to be the enemy. We must implement “anxiety-friendly” teaching methods that allow children to make a positive connection to math. Constant support, a growth mindset, relating math to everyday scenarios, and the use of visual aids are all great ways to help students deal with math anxiety and improve their performance.

Published by Stephanie M.