How to love maths when you hate it
Mathematics. You either love it, or you hate it. If you hate it and numbers make your palms perspire- you’re not alone. Math anxiety is a very real phenomenon...but where does it stem from?
Research suggests that a good chunk of your math phobia may have been passed down from parents or teachers during early childhood. And if you identify as female, the pervasive stereotype that women fumble with numbers can also play negatively at the back of your mind. Of course, if you have kids this means that your own phobia could in turn be passed down again.
But here’s the thing. Maths is awesome. You are awesome. You x math = awesome² . Maths supports critical thinking, puzzle solving abilities, creativity, and is a foundation skill for coding, engineering and science. Every opportunity your child has to positively and confidently engage with maths is an opportunity for them to understand more about the world and take part in shaping it.
💖 Here are five ways to stop the math anxiety cycle, and perhaps, fall in love with maths along the way.
Write a love list
Often, one of the ways we get out of doing something we hate, is by convincing ourselves it's not important. To love something, we first need to respect it. With an adult perspective on life, begin by making a list of all the great wonderful magical things maths is used for- and what you might be able to do once you HARNESS ITS POWERS!
Fail and let fail
Maths, for the most part, has one right answer. This is a daunting prospect- what if you get it wrong? You can reduce the fear of failure by seeing mistakes as an opportunity for growth. Celebrate failure in the home and make it a safe space to try (and try and try) things again. For a bedtime failure story, try ‘the most magnificent thing’.
Read maths stories
This study demonstrated that maths related storytelling at home improved primary students confidence and performance in maths. It really could be as simple as a bedtime story. From board book to chapter book, give these titles a whirl: Spinderella, 100 bugs, Twinderella, Ada Twist Scientist and Edie’s Experiments.
Bust the myth
There’s no such thing as a ‘numbers person’, boys aren’t better than girls at math, and maths isn’t only for ‘geniuses’. Rinse and repeat.
Face your fear
If you’ve come this far you’re roaring along! Even if you had a negative experience with maths as a child, you’re a different person now. You have an adult brain in your head and a lifetime of experience. Now might be a good time to dip your toes back into the numbers pond.
Brilliant.org has a fantastic course in mathematics fundamentals that focuses on quirky puzzle solving, supportive explainers and small snack sized tasks. *we receive no sponsorship from Brilliant, but it is a program we use ourselves (and love)