Working to Cure Math Anxiety

Like most math teachers, I am passionate about math. However, I also recognize that many students — and adults — experience math anxiety. According to the EdWeek Research Center, 67% of U.S. teachers say math anxiety is a problem for their students, and 1 in 5 U.S. adults report having it. Surprisingly, math anxiety is not always linked to poor performance. Many anxious students have average to high abilities but develop a fear of failure before even starting a new math task. Although I always did well in math, I also experienced the unease that comes with learning a new concept or tackling a challenging word problem. At Harbor Day, a major goal of our math department is to help students work through that anxiety and appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics.

Math is unique because it generally has one correct answer. However, this plus can also be a minus. A student who does not reach the correct answer is inclined to erase his entire work and become frustrated. At Harbor Day, our math teachers take the “rough draft math” approach with incorrect answers. Looking at a student’s work together, there are many steps that have been done correctly. Upon finding a mistake, the student can then fix the error and work from there to reach the correct answer. Editing one’s work rather than tossing it and starting over is a commonplace practice in Language Arts, so why shouldn’t this be the case in mathematics? Students are encouraged to view math as a process that can be improved, not restarted. By valuing their correct reasoning and building on it, students gain confidence and experience the satisfaction of solving a tough problem.

The puzzle-like nature of math naturally appeals to students. From the Lower School onward, our teachers use enthusiasm, games, puzzles, and challenges to engage students. Students are encouraged to analyze problems, share their ideas, and explore multiple strategies to find solutions. Since not all minds think alike, there are often various approaches to a problem. When students share their reasoning, it boosts their confidence and deepens their enjoyment of math.

At Harbor Day, our math specialist and classroom associates play a crucial role in helping students manage and overcome math anxiety. In large group settings, some students may feel intimidated and fear making mistakes in front of their peers. Anxiety can lead them to doubt their ability and even shut down. Working in small groups, Mrs. Grace and our skilled associates provide personalized support, celebrating each student's progress. This individualized attention benefits all learners and encourages them to approach math with enthusiasm and confidence.

As students enter Middle School and begin studying pre-algebra and algebra, math anxiety often increases. Solving word problems requires logical reasoning and is more complex than straightforward calculations. Not knowing which operation to use can feel unsettling. In our classrooms, we treat word problems as puzzles. We break them down together, asking questions like: What are we looking for? What information do we have? What strategy might work? If a method fails, we discuss how to adjust or try a new approach. Students enjoy helping each other, and their excitement at reaching a solution makes them eager to tackle the next challenge.

The problem-solving skills learned in math apply to many aspects of life, making it essential to address and reduce math anxiety. At Harbor Day, our math classrooms are spaces where students can solve problems together, learn from mistakes without fear, and experience the joy of overcoming difficult challenges. By creating this supportive environment, we help our students not only succeed in math but also enjoy and appreciate its beauty and power.