What is math anxiety?

Summary: Math anxiety is an intense feeling of worry or fear about doing math. It’s very common in both kids and adults. Math anxiety is different from dyscalculia, a disability in math. But the two challenges can overlap.

Kids with math anxiety worry about doing poorly on tests, even if they studied and understand the material. They may feel anxious about math homework and might try to avoid going to math class or taking quizzes.

There are ways to help reduce math anxiety at home and in school. First, focus on progress, not perfection. Avoid saying negative things about math. And try a deep breathing exercise to reduce anxiety when it happens.

Math anxiety is more than stressing over an occasional test or dreading a homework assignment. It’s a very real and common problem for many kids (and adults).¹ 

Kids with math anxiety have intense worries about homework, tests, and tasks related to math. This anxiety doesn’t always come from a lack of ability. Kids who understand the concepts, who can do the work, and who do well on tests may still have a fear of math. 

At the same time, being so anxious can sometimes lead kids to make mistakes and do poorly on tests. It can also keep them from gaining math skills as they get older.²

We don’t know exactly what causes math anxiety. But both biological and environmental factors are likely involved. 

Math anxiety can run in families, so genetics may play a role. Having underlying challenges with math is another common factor. Kids who struggle with math are more likely to feel anxious. The learning environment matters too, including how math is talked about in the classroom and at home.

Experiences can also shape math anxiety. Kids may worry that doing poorly will confirm stereotypes, like the idea that girls aren’t good at math. One bad grade usually isn’t the cause. But repeated negative experiences with math can lead to anxiety over time.

Kids can struggle with math anxiety to different degrees and show their distress in different ways. A child with math anxiety may:

• Worry they’ll do poorly on a test, even though they understand the material and have studied

• Feel anxious about doing math homework, even if they can do it fairly easily and with few mistakes

• Avoid asking for help in math because of embarrassment or shame

• Try to avoid going to math class or taking a quiz

• Get good grades on math homework or classwork, but not on tests

Kids may also feel the physical symptoms of anxiety when they have to do math-related tasks.³ Common symptoms include:

• Rapid heartbeat 

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

It’s important to know that kids can sometimes feel anxious about math without it becoming a problem. A little stress about a math test or assignment may even help kids be more productive. 

Math anxiety isn’t the same as dyscalculia, a learning disability in math. But some of the signs overlap, and kids may have both conditions. 

When kids have trouble with math, it can lead them to feel very anxious about working with numbers. Still, many kids with math anxiety don’t have difficulty with math. Their fears aren’t due to poor performance or not being able to do the work.

Some signs of this common math disability can show up as early as preschool. And as they grow up, kids with dyscalculia often struggle with very basic math skills and concepts. These skills are known as number sense.

They typically have difficulty with:

• Learning to count

• Recognizing patterns, like smallest to largest

• Recognizing number symbols, like “7” for seven

• Learning and recalling math facts

• Identifying +, −, and other signs

• Understanding concepts like more and less

• Using mental math instead of counting on fingers

• Measuring things and working with fractions

• Using math concepts with money

• Understanding information on graphs and charts

Math anxiety can be a lifelong challenge. But there are ways to help kids reduce and manage their fears, according to Understood Expert and neuroscientist Daniel Ansari, PhD. 

If fears about math are getting in the way of learning and functioning, one option for parents to consider is talk therapy. “The approaches used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce anxiety can work for math anxiety, too,” says Ansari.

Here are five other strategies to try at home or in the classroom.

1. Focus on progress, not perfection. 

Math anxiety can cause kids to doubt their abilities. Kids may think that they’re bad at math and can never get better at it. Help kids develop a growth mindset. Remind them that with effort and support (if they need it), their skills will improve.

Kids pick up on attitudes about math from parents and teachers, who may also have anxiety around math. “If we’re negative about math, our kids are going to be negative about math,” says Understood Expert and math educator Brendan Hodnett in an episode of the Understood podcast In It. Make sure to have positive discussions about math and stress the importance of progress. 

Mindfulness exercises like deep breathing can reduce anxiety and help with focus. On In It, Hodnett describes using the “physiological sigh” with his students to reduce anxiety. First, inhale almost to the point of full capacity. Pause for a second, and then take a second, quicker inhale. Then, exhale slowly.

Parents and teachers can work together to help a child with math anxiety. Take notes on what you’re seeing at home or in the classroom. Then meet to talk about the challenges and possible solutions.

Changing the environment in class may help reduce fears for kids with math anxiety. Accommodations for anxiety might include not asking a child to answer questions or show their work in front of the class. Setting time limits on homework is another example of an accommodation for anxiety.

Whether you’re a parent or an educator, you may have questions about math anxiety in kids. Here, Daniel Ansari answers commonly asked questions.

Yes, math anxiety can affect learning and performance. Researchers think this happens because worrying interrupts learning and disrupts working memory — the part of the brain people use to think and solve problems. Research also suggests that math anxiety may cause older students to avoid courses and careers that involve math.⁴ 

Math anxiety isn’t a formal diagnosis. But it’s a real condition that’s related to generalized anxiety. The fear of doing poorly doesn’t just come from the experience of doing poorly. The worries exist whether or not math is a challenge.

When kids express negative emotions about math and start to avoid math, chances are they’re experiencing math anxiety. If you think a math disability is happening along with math anxiety, the only way to know for sure is through a full evaluation for special education. Schools do these evaluations for free.