Introduction : The Global Fear of Maths
Why does Maths Cause more fear than any other subject?
Many students across the world feel phobic about math tests. Research shows that 60% of students experience fear or stress while solving math problems- This shows math fear is real and worldwide.
But the question remains: Why do Students have the fear of mathematics and how do we overcome this? In this blog, we’ll explore the emotional, psychological and educational roots of math fear.
What is math anxiety?
Math anxiety is a feeling of tension, worry or fear that effects the ability of a child to perform mathematical tasks.
It’s not about intelligence—sometimes even a bright student also has math anxiety.
Common signs of math anxiety include:
- Nervousness before math exams.
- Avoiding math homework or class participation.
- Low self-confidence while solving questions.
- Poor performance even after doing practice.
When math fear takes place, it is necessary to overcome it as soon as possible; otherwise, the student can lose all confidence. It is very important to use the right approach, like vedic maths.
Common Reasons Children Fear Math
- Early Negative experiences
A single bad experience can impact a lot in a child’s mind, like being scolded for low performance. They start thinking math is not a cup of tea for them. - Rote learning and memorization pressure
Traditional learning often focuses on rote learning instead of understanding the concept behind the problem.
- Fast-paced Classroom environment
Every child has their own ability to learn and understand. When teachers complete all the lessons quickly, slow learners may not be able to understand, which can increase their fear of math. - Teacher’s Attitude and Teaching Style
A strict and impatient teacher can unintentionally increase the math anxiety in a child’s mind, whereas if the teacher is cooperative, they can boost the child’s morale and make them more confident in front of everyone. - Parental Pressure and Expectations
Parents sometimes compare grades with another child, which makes the child feel very demotivated. Instead of comparing, parents should help their child to overcome the fear and anxiety. - Lack of Real-life experience
When children don’t understand how math can connect to real-life problems, they start losing interest and start thinking math is not useful.
How Fear of Maths Affects Learning
Maths fear can disturb mental health—even simple sums seem confusing.
Students may:
- Avoid math-related subjects in higher grades.
- Lose confidence in their overall academic performance.
- Develop a belief that “they cannot do math.”
Psychological factors behind Math anxiety
- Fear of Judgment:
- Low Self-Efficacy:
- Fixed Mindset:
- Stress Response:
How to Help Children Overcome math fear
- Make Math Visual and Hands-on
- Encourage a Growth Mindset
- Relate Math to Everyday life
- Use Positive Reinforcement
- Reduce Performance Pressure
- Provide Safe Learning space
The Role of Teachers and Parents
Confidence grows best in supportive surroundings. Here How parents and teachers play a role in a child’s life:
Teacher’s
- Introduce Vedic Maths for exam preparation through fun classroom challenges.
- Give rewards even for improvements, not just correct answers.
- Use colorful visuals or games to make sessions more interactive and enjoyable.
Parent’s
- Encourage short daily practice. – even 10 to 15 minutes can help a lot.
- Praise effort instead of perfection.
- Use friendly competition or apps to make practice fun, like the IIVA Practice portal.
Real-life Examples: From Math fear to Math fun
Case Study 1—Aarav’s Journey (Age 12)
Aarav had difficulty passing his math exams and feared every test. After enrolling in a Vedic Maths course, he started solving problems mentally using Sutras such as ‘Vertically and Crosswise.’ In just three months, Aarav’s calculation speed increased by 60%, and his teachers observed a newfound confidence in his class participation.
Case Study 2—Priya’s Turnaround Story:
Priya once mentioned, “Math makes me anxious.” However, learning Vedic Maths designed for struggling students completely transformed her experience. She started seeing problems as puzzles rather than intimidating challenges. Using quick tricks and visualization techniques, she achieved over 90 marks in her final math exam—something she had never done before! Both teachers and parents observe that Vedic Maths not only boosts academic performance but also positively changes mindsets.
Conclusion
Fear of math doesn’t mean lack of ability—it often means lack of confidence. Vedic Maths rebuilds that confidence by making calculations simple,logical amd enjoyable . Through its ancient techniques, students experience quick results and the joy of learning.
