Nothing is more challenging and scarier for a child than seeing a page filled with numbers, equations, unknown symbols, etc. It is especially true for children who don’t like mathematics or have an unexplainable fear or disliking of the subject. It is an unavoidable fact that math is responsible for giving the so-called exam fever to most children. However, if this fear remains persistent in them and they keep struggling with this particular subject, it can become a roadblock to their academic success.
We at Delhi Public School Kangra, one of the top cbse schools in Kangra, firmly believe that while math is no different from any other subject, it is the associated fear with it that makes it look different and difficult. With the right approach and constant practice, children can shoo away their math fear and also attain proficiency in the subject.
In this article today, we are sharing four result-driven ways to help kids overcome math fear. If you’re ready to help your kids bid goodbye to their math fear once and for all, start implementing the tips shared below.
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Make it Fun with Everyday Math
The easiest way to remove math fear from the core is by making it a part of their daily life. You don’t have to confine mathematics to textbooks or worksheets when you can incorporate it into your kid’s everyday activities. For example, you can ask your kids to help measure ingredients while cooking or baking something they like. It can give them a good idea about fractions and related mathematical concepts, triggering their interest in the subject.
You can also take them shopping and encourage them to add all product costs listed in the grocery bill for double-checking and tallying with the final figure. You can come up with similar practical activities that make your little ones practice mathematical concepts without feeling bored. We at DPS Kangra believe that real-life applications like these are a great way to help kids realize the importance of math in life while instilling in them a desire to dig deep into the subject.
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Use Innovative Tech-Driven Solutions Like Math-Centered Apps
Sometimes it is not the subject but the approach that lowers a kid’s interest in it. The same goes for mathematics. If your children don’t like mathematics or have developed a fear of it, try changing the teaching method. Instead of asking them to do their math homework the usual way, encourage them to leverage other audio-visual resources to learn and practice different mathematical concepts.
There are numerous apps and online resources that can make mathematics a fun subject to learn. Instead of relying on plain text, these apps include many audio and visual elements to accommodate varying learning requirements. These apps can help rekindle the likeliness of the subject, making children explore it further.
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Encourage a Growth Mindset to Eliminate Fear
We at DPS Kangra have noticed over the years that while many students aren’t bad at mathematics, they hold an irrational fear of math which keeps them from giving their 100% to the subject. This fear makes them steer away from learning and practicing the subject further, resulting in poor performance and understanding of basic mathematical concepts.
You, as parents, can play an important role in eliminating this fear for good by fostering a growth mindset in children. This mindset helps kids realize that intelligence and abilities can be developed with constant effort.
Whenever you notice your kids having a tough time solving a math problem, encourage and help them with a detailed solution. Highlight their mistakes gently, showing them a way forward. Make them understand that it’s okay to not find the solution at the first attempt, but it’s never acceptable to give up trying.
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Celebrate Small Achievements
When kids dislike something, especially a subject like math, it becomes crucial to make them enjoy doing it. The easiest hack parents can use to make kids willingly spend more time learning and practicing math is by celebrating their small achievements or even effort. For instance, if your kids avoid doing math homework, start appreciating them for their efforts and not the end result.
They may not get a certain equation or problem right on the first attempt, but your constant encouragement can give them a reason to try more. At DPS Kangra, one of the top 10 schools in Kangra, we have seen that appreciating and celebrating the small efforts/achievements of children tempt them to do more of it, eventually developing likeliness for the subject.
Conclusion
Fears surrounding math can prevent children from tapping into their full potential. Fortunately, there is a way to help kids reach their highest potential by removing their math fear. Parents and teachers play a relatively influential role in this regard.
So, if you feel your children are avoiding mathematics too because of some irrational fear, begin implementing the tips discussed in this article, and you’ll see how your children regain their confidence for solving math problems with ease. We understand the process can take time to show visible results, however, it is important to maintain your patience and consistency. With time, you will definitely see visible improvement in your child’s progress in math.