COPING WITH MATH-ATTACKS

Mathematics is an intimidating subject to many children and adults. In my experience as a teacher and a student, I have seen kids with a wide spectrum from having a Math aversion to love for the subject. But before I go deeper into this topic of how to cope with Mathattacks, I would like to mention that just because kids love a subject does not mean that they do not need extra help in understanding it. Students with Math aversion most likely need that extra help. Please recognize it on time and seek that proper help from the teacher or a tutor. There is nothing to be judgmental about.

One of the major reasons for having Math aversion in my observation is due to having a Math anxiety or even worse a phobia. In this blog, I am going to give you 10 steps to “manage” (may not necessarily mean overcome) your anxiety for the subject. Read slowly, do not skip any steps, and make notes for yourself. Some of these are addressed to the parents and others to the students. This process needs to be done by teaming up with parents, your Math teacher, and tutor.

1. Identify and Accept: Parents, does your child get nervous or anxious when he/she even thinks of Mathematics, let alone when he reaches out for the book to complete his school assignment? Kids, are you on the verge of pulling out your hair because you just don’t grasp these Math concepts? Let’s just accept that yes you you may be suffering from a condition called Math anxiety (good news is this is not a medical condition. Yay!) That’s a first. To tackle any weakness, it is important to accept it! NO SHAME in doing so, ONLY GAIN! You will see!

2. Don’t Judge and Beat Yourself Up: So what if you or your kids have fears solving Math problems! It would have been great to not have an aversion to the subject but it is not horrible either to have one. There is a fine difference between getting out of your comfort zone and beating yourself up for experiencing Mathattacks. You need to cut through the vicious cycle of getting anxious, thereby unable to understand Math concepts, then not performing well in school, and again resulting into having anxiety every time you think about the subject. JUST NIP IT NOW!

3. Talk To Your Parents/Math Teacher/Tutor: Students, now that you know that you are experiencing a Math phobia, talk to your parents. Parents, please have a healthy discussion with your kids and help them understand that it is okay to be weak in Math, as long as you accept it and are ready to overcome it. Kids, your parents can be a great support system. Consult your Math teacher in school and if you have hired a tutor already, talk to him/her as well. Talking to your child’s teacher and tutor will help your child get support at school and at home, not just emotionally but they will help your child approach the problem at hand more effectively and constructively.

4. Why Do You Have The Fear? Please do not make the mistake of assuming that these aversions for Mathematics are baseless or the kids will grow out of it just like that. This will only make your child push themselves away from the subject. Your child’s hatred for Math might be because he never performed well in elementary school, which went unnoticed and boom! When in middle and high school, you feel the pinch of scoring low grades in Math. There is a reason why we teachers insist on strengthening Math basics right from elementary. Still not too late! Parents, sit down with your child, teacher, and tutor and come up with a strategy to overcome those weak areas in Math. It is never too late to deal with them. I would never recommend to “get through” the year. You want your child to understand these Math concepts now than later. Working on those weak areas of the subject might help your child to manage or even overcome his/her fears and aversions for Math. FIND OUT THE "WHY" and it will help you understand the subject.

5. Parents’ Active Involvement: Teachers and tutors are always there to help their students academically. And I am sure as parents, you do not shy away from your responsibilities of helping your child with their academics. Your involvement is precious to them. They may not realize it now. Your help and moral support will help them be more confident every day and assure your children that they are not being judged and measured just because they have a Math phobia. SUPPORT YOUR CHILD!

6. Prepare For Tests in Advance: Students, please understand the importance of preparing for tests much in advance. In case of Mathematics, you may understand the concepts but you can only prove this to yourself and the world when you are able to successfully solve Mathematical problems. Well, such is the nature of the subject! “Go over” (solve them again and not read) the problems taught in school, at home either with your tutor or your parents. Tutoring helps in a major way to understand concepts at your pace, concepts that you were unable to grasp in your class. With regular studying and tutoring, you would reach a point where your tutor teaches the concept first before you learn it in school. This will enable you to understand the topic better and feel more confident to take your tests. NO LAST MINUTE STUDYING FOR TESTS!

7. Breathe: Students and parents, take deep breaths! I agree that Mathematics has a lot for you to assimilate. So take baby steps and you will feel confident about solving Math problems soon. Well, I don’t promise you that you will fall in love with the subject but certainly, will help you feel good about yourself. That is a long road traveled from having Mathattacks to feeling good. So, TAKE DEEP BREATHS! You are almost there, my friend!

8. Practice Math: Math problems are like puzzles or a mystery. You don’t have to know the solution to the problem when you look at it. The best part is that you “reach” the solution as you are solving it – step by step. The three important rules for acing Mathematics are PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE. There is neither any shortcut to acing the subject nor for reaching the solutions of the Mathematical problems. Dare you skip any steps and your answer is wrong! Practicing Math on a daily basis not only enables you to understand Math concepts better every day but also trains your brain to approach problems logically and patiently…absolutely a good trait to inculcate in life. So students, don’t be lazy in practicing Math daily for at least 45 minutes.

9. Do Not Run Away: Students, running away and trying to “get through” the year…not a bad idea at all! Absolutely not a great plan in the long run. DEAL WITH IT NOW! Parents, if you have noticed this aversion to Math subject while your kids are in elementary, you are lucky. Realized this hatred for the subject in middle school, it’s still fine. It does sound a little too late in high school but you still have four years to graduate from high school, which means you are still good to work on those weak areas of Math now. Please do not run away from your weaknesses. Math is one area where you will use it in your daily lives too.

10. You Are Still The Best: Just because you are weak in one subject does not make you any less. These tips are to enable you to boost your confidence and help you overcome your aversion to Mathematics. You still have your strengths that will help you survive in the real world. So undoubtedly, YOU ARE THE BEST!