Math anxiety develops at a young age for some students, here's how to prevent it

While math-related anxiety can start as early as kindergarten for some kids, there are strategies to make math enjoyable for all students, according to an expert.

Learning math equations and solving problems can be fun for some kid and downright uncomfortable for others.

But math anxiety and not feeling like "a math person" can be avoided, according to Tina Rapke, an associate professor at York University who works directly with students and teachers from kindergarten to Grade 8.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but math anxiety starts in kindergarten," Rapke said in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca. "Math anxiety basically acts as a virus – teachers can pass it on to students and parents can pass it onto their kids."

For example, if a parent says, "I'm not a math person," in front of their child, it may negatively affect their perception of their own math abilities, according to Rapke, who says parents should completely avoid saying these types of phrases.

According to a nationwide study called "Barriers & Bridges in Canadian Learning," conducted by Angus Reid, 49 per cent of Canadian parents confessed to feeling intimidated by their children's math homework during the pandemic.

While parents may have their own math insecurities, a part of helping children feel better about their math abilities is by acknowledging that math anxiety exists – it's not just about disliking the subject, Rapke adds.

At home, this parental support may look like listening to how kids feel about math. For teachers, this could look like having students draw out what their relationship to math looks like, as a practical activity.