Published: April 10, 2025
Numbers are everywhere and it’s important to know how to use them in our everyday lives. We see numbers as soon as we wake up in the morning. We notice the time and calculate how many minutes we have left to get ready and start the day. We buy breakfast, we get gas, we go to the salon and we calculate the tip. Math is intertwined in every aspect of our daily lives and knowledge of math concepts is essential for connecting to the world around us. So why do, “approximately 93% of adult Americans indicate that they experience some level of math anxiety?” According to the NIH, “Math anxiety is a widespread, worldwide problem affecting all age groups. It’s estimated that approximately 17% of the US-American population suffers from high levels of math anxiety.”
The Nation’s Report Card, released in January 2025 reported that nearly 40% of 4th graders reached proficient and advanced levels in math, but nearly a quarter did not reach the basic level. Eighth grade students did not show growth in math and stayed at the same level as 2022, which was an 8 point drop from previous scores, with 40% scoring below proficient. The struggle in math is real for US students but is math anxiety to blame?
Studies have shown that, “Early numeracy establishes a critical foundation for mathematical thinking and problem-solving.” Early numeracy often leads to enhanced math proficiency, academic achievement and stem readiness. Math concepts are first learned in infancy and as a child advances in their educational career, these concepts become more complex. Problem solving strategies are introduced and prior knowledge of concepts taught are integral for in depth understanding. As students advance to the next grade level, numbers which were once concrete develop into analytical reasoning. For some students this is when their anxiety emerges. A student who exhibits frustration and fear when trying to solve a math problem often suffers from math anxiety. These feelings can manifest into physiological reactions such as a rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms which can negatively impact academic performance.
Math anxiety stems from a lack of self confidence in one’s own ability to correctly solve a math problem. Somewhere in the early math years, students develop negative feelings toward math which may compound into lifelong math anxiety. Studies show that a child’s mathematical development can be directly related to parental math anxiety which can inhibit personal future growth. Students with math anxiety may change majors out of fear of failing and adults may even turn down amazing job opportunities. An article published in the American Psychological Association stated that, “Research suggests people with high math anxiety are less likely to finish graduate school or pursue STEM careers.” The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected an increase of 10.4% in STEM careers by 2033. A recent study of math achievement in the UK showed that math-related motivational and emotional factors in adolescence contribute to STEM career choice in emerging adulthood.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can combat math anxiety. Instilling a growth mindset in early education promotes optimism, resilience and perseverance. Parents and teachers alike can encourage a growth mindset in math. A growth mindset in math helps students understand that significant learning often manifests in the struggle. Math involves problem solving and making a mistake is part of the learning process. Building a growth math mindset enhances logical reasoning skills and enables students to make personal connections to the ideas and methods of math. A simple shift in mindset, a change from, “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it, yet!” The “Power of Yet” provides a learning curve for students and enables them to overcome math challenges with optimism, resilience and persistence. These are three critical life skills needed for academic and future career success.
At Prep Academy Tutors, we understand math anxiety and how it can inhibit academic performance. Our math tutors cultivate a growth math mindset, promoting optimism, resilience and persistence, as they help students overcome their fear of math.
Written by our staff author and teacher, Maryann Moriarty. Maryann has 17 years of teaching experience in New York City and was a contributing author at the Educator’s Room.