❤️ What Is Maths Anxiety (And Why Does It Matter)?

❤️ What Is Maths Anxiety (And Why Does It Matter)?

Maths anxiety is a feeling of worry or tension that some people experience when working with numbers. For adults, it might show up when you’re trying to help with homework or even when checking a bill. For children, it can affect their confidence, willingness to try new things, and overall progress in school.

Children are incredibly perceptive—if they sense that a parent feels stressed about maths, they may start to feel the same way. That’s why supporting yourself emotionally is one of the best ways to support them.

😊 You Don’t Need to “Know the Maths” — Just Be Positive

Here are some simple, effective ways to help your child (and yourself!) feel more confident:

✨ 1. Use positive language

Avoid saying things like “I was never good at maths”—even if it’s true. Instead try:

• “Let’s figure this out together”

• “It’s okay if we don’t get it straight away”

A growth mindset helps children feel capable and resilient.

✨ 2. Make mistakes normal

Children learn best when they see that mistakes are not failures—they are part of the process. Try modelling this by thinking aloud:

• “Hmm, that didn’t work. Let’s try another way.”

✨ 3. Use objects to help understanding

Use the CPA approach, master the step before moving on:

• Concrete (real objects such as buttons, coins, pasta shapes)

• Pictorial (drawings or visual models)

• Abstract (numbers and symbols)

You can use this at home—everyday items make great maths tools.

✨ 4. Take your time

Maths is taught in small steps for a reason. If your child is stuck, take a step back and revisit the basics slowly. Short, frequent bursts of practice often work better than long sessions.

🔤 The Importance of Maths Vocabulary

Your child may come home with words that sound new or unfamiliar—terms like “partition,” “regrouping,” “commutative,” or “numerator.” Modern maths teaching puts a big emphasis on vocabulary because being able to explain ideas clearly helps children understand more deeply.

You can help by:

• Asking your child to explain a new word in their own words

• Making a simple “maths dictionary” together

• Looking up definitions on the White Rose website or school guidance

Don’t worry if you’re unsure yourself—learning the vocabulary alongside your child can be a great confidence booster for both of you.

🧩 Spotting Misconceptions Before They Grow

Misconceptions are natural parts of learning—for example:

• thinking subtraction always makes numbers smaller

• believing multiplication always makes them bigger

• mixing up place value (e.g., thinking 402 is “four hundred and two tens”)

If your child has a misconception, it’s nothing to worry about. What helps most is gentle clarification, asking questions rather than correcting straight away:

• “Can you show me that using objects?”

• “What do you think will happen if…?”

This encourages them to reason, not just memorise.

🌈 Differentiation and Mastery: What It Means for Your Child

A mastery approach wants every child to have a deep, secure understanding of maths—not just race ahead through worksheets.

This means:

• Children who grasp things quickly are given tasks that deepen their thinking, rather than skipping content.

• Children who need more support receive scaffolding, such as visual models, teacher guidance, or extra practice.

Everyone moves through the curriculum together, but with different types of support or challenge. It’s all about ensuring long-lasting understanding.

🤗 Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Maths doesn’t need to be stressful—for you or your child. By staying positive, exploring ideas together, and embracing mistakes as part of learning, you can make a huge difference to your child’s confidence.

Remember:

• Your attitude matters more than your maths ability.

• Small moments of calm support at home have big impacts at school.

• Teachers don’t expect parents to teach the curriculum—just to encourage curiosity and confidence.