Suzanne's Column
November, 1999
Math Anxiety
Several readers have sent us stories of their own experiences with math, and the fear that often accompanies learning it. We are preparing to upload some of these stories, to share them with you.
Much has been written about math anxiety, and ways to combat it. A learning psychologist we consult with told us that given a choice between pain and anxiety, studies show people choose pain over anxiety. We will be addressing this problem in many upcoming articles and pages.
Math is tough. But what makes it unique is that its toughness can't be faked or finessed. Ultimately, we stare at a problem, and we understand it, or we don't. What do we do when we don't?
Will students struggle forward, past the confusion, or will they flee?
Because of math's toughness, some anxiety is inevitable. Not understanding when we need to understand is frightening. The key is to teach kids how to struggle with math so the anxiety isn't debilitating, and so they don't misinterpret it to mean that they don't belong inside this subject. On the contrary, I tell my students, it means you're in the good stuff.
Throughout our site now, and in the coming weeks, we have much to help you with this very real problem.
