For many Indian parents, watching their child struggle with the Fear of Maths is a familiar but worrying experience. Maths anxiety can start as early as primary school, making homework time tense and fracturing a child’s confidence. The good news is that maths need not be a source of stress; there are proven ways to replace fear with fun and curiosity, setting your child up for success both in school and life.
Understanding the Fear of Maths
Maths anxiety often comes from negative experiences or the perception that numbers are difficult or intimidating. Some children avoid maths activities, lose concentration during lessons, or panic when faced with a maths problem. It’s essential for parents to recognize these signs and act early. Building a supportive attitude towards mistakes; viewing them as learning opportunities, not failures helps children embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. Celebrate efforts and small wins to boost your child’s confidence and willingness to try new puzzles and sums.
Make Maths a Part of Everyday Life
Integrating maths into daily routines can help children see mathematics as a practical, enjoyable tool. Turn shopping trips into math adventures by asking your child to tally the total groceries, calculate discounts, or measure out ingredients for a recipe. These real-life connections make maths feel practical, relevant, and much less intimidating. Parents who keep discussions about maths light, frequent, and connected to familiar activities foster a positive mind-set showing that maths skills are useful far beyond the classroom.
Fun Games and Activities to Banish Maths Anxiety
Learning through play goes a long way in easing maths fears. Card games, board games, and math-based puzzles ignite curiosity and reinforce core skills like addition, subtraction, and logical thinking. Try math races with playing cards, measurement tasks in the kitchen, or guess-the-result games with car odometers on road trips. Digital game-based learning platforms also let children explore maths in a relaxed environment, building skills through interactive challenges instead of high-pressure tests.
Encourage Curiosity and Understanding over Memorisation
One common cause of the fear of maths comes from focusing too much on memorizing formulas rather than understanding the ‘why’ behind the concepts. Ask your child open-ended questions how do we measure this? Why does subtraction work this way? Invite them to explain their reasoning or look for patterns rather than just rote learning. This builds problem-solving skills and a growth mind-set, making maths feel less rigid and more creative.
Be Positive and Patient
Every child’s maths journey is unique. Reassure your child that it’s okay to make mistakes and try again; you can even share stories from your own childhood to show how everyone learns in their own way. Positive reinforcement, praise for perseverance, and gentle encouragement help smooth the road ahead. For persistent challenges, consider finding a supportive tutor or using visual resources that match your child’s interests and strengths.
At The Adhyayana International Public School (TAIPS), a leading CBSE school in Coimbatore, we focus on breaking down the fear of maths through interactive lessons, supportive guidance, and a joyful attitude toward learning. Discover how TAIPS helps students think mathematically with confidence and creativity; visit our CBSE school today.
