Importance of Maths Confidence in School Children

Importance of Maths Confidence in School Children

The anxiety of understanding mathematics is quite common in children and can have a great impact on the whole learning process. The same subject that triggers anxiety and stress has another side - a side that can excite, entertain and energise children. The fear of maths, can sometimes shatter a child's confidence, but this problem can be addressed by taking up strategies to reduce mathematical vulnerability thereby making children resilient learners by making them understand the underlying beauty and importance of the subject in everyday life. A strong mathematical foundation is important to improve the level of confidence in children.

Here are some excellent strategies to improve maths confidence in primary school children.

1. Dispel Common Maths Myths to Increase Confidence 

A common problem which underlies the fear of maths in children, is the myth which prevails about its difficulty.  When perceived as a difficult subject from the outset, a child’s confidence is already hampered. This then affects their capability throughout their school life. If a child is unable to grasp concepts at school, or understand a particular topic or under-performs in classwork or a test; they then automatically consider maths as being a difficult subject and themselves not being good at it. This perspective in them proves difficult to be reversed if not addressed timely.

It is important to communicate to your child that their potential in maths is not defined by a few challenging topics. Children should be convinced that with regular practice and effort, their potential in maths can be improved.

Spotting their individual strengths and capabilities in the subject and helping them to build on it helps to improve their confidence and build a strong foundation. For instance, learning multiplication tables from early stages can help children improve their confidence as it boosts their speed in the steps of problem-solving and will be useful for many other maths topics which build on multiplication.

2. Create a Love for the Subject

Parents and teachers who are evangelical about maths, not only inspire and support children to become interested in maths but also create great mathematicians. They help children to understand that they can think mathematically. Passionate adults help children to question, challenge and reflect the problems they find within the subject. They help to build the curiosity in children, build up their potential for investigation and build their self-assurance.

As an example, I have an interest in maths and solving maths problems, therefore I would naturally expose my children to puzzles, books and games where they could use and develop their numerical skills too. Both my children were engaged with maths at a very young age and were fortunate enough to have inspirational and engaging maths teachers throughout their high school. One of my son’s teachers termed maths as a “beautiful subject” and even at parents’ meeting would talk about his “love” for maths. This deep interest in a teacher and/or parent will certainly help in developing a strong inclination towards maths.

As parents, we can often ooze enthusiasm for maths in children by pouring energy into the way we talk about numbers, time and shapes. Different strategies should be taken to bring an abstract subject like maths to real life and making it memorable through action and involvement, such as when paying at supermarket, asking time-related questions, involving them with measurements in the kitchen and even challenging them to online maths quizzes. These techniques work wonders in drawing children towards maths and appreciating its usefulness.

3. Allow Space and Time

Children can get stuck and not surprisingly unstuck, through explorations and practice in maths. Confidence in maths is developed by creating a conducive atmosphere where your child will believe they can do it! This is the key to building children’s confidence in maths. After explaining a concept, it’s integral children are given their personal space to work out problems and are not rushed into solving exercises. They may identify a pattern which was not explained, or understand a concept in a different way, which may result in them using their own method to solve problems.

As an educator, I feel as long as children understand the logic behind a calculation and why they are calculating something, the method they use to solve a problem doesn’t really matter. However, I always advise to pen down all working out to show how the answer was derived. Unfortunately, some teachers endorse only one method to solve a problem, which is fine but I feel children should be allowed to explore alternative methods and use them to solve mathematical problems.

To give an example, there are three main methods for finding the Highest Common Factor (H.C.F) of two (or more) numbers.

1. Factorization Method

2. Prime Factorization Method

3. Division Method

Using the factorization method:

H.C.F. of 36 and 45.

Factors of 36 are → 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36 Factors of 45 are → 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 45

1 × 36, 2 × 18, 3 × 12, 4 × 9, 6 × 6 1 × 45, 3 × 15, 5 × 9

∴ HCF = 9

The other two methods would of give the same answer, but the level of complexity and reasoning behind the steps involved would of course be different.

When children are given enough time to understand and absorb a concept, they can apply the absorbed knowledge to a wider range of topics easily and with confidence.

It is important to understand that the computational speed in maths differs for each child and that the accuracy of the answer is what matters most and not the speed during the learning process. Making them hurry with their learning can often create inner anxiety stemming from a  fear of calculating incorrectly. Speed is only important when concepts are clear in the mind of a child. It is at that point that timed tests should be introduced and their calculation times should be monitored, as accuracy combined with speed is a prerequisite to perform well in school tests, SATS, entrance exams and other future exams.

Creating a calm atmosphere to allow them to think and build upon their curiosity is what matters most during the study of maths.

4. Encourage Children to Play Games

Mathematical thinking in children is also built by playing games as children find different strategies for solving problems during playing. Games can support the development of computational fluency and build a deeper understanding of concepts and processes when games are played repeatedly. Challenging games such as social chess, connect 4, brain rush and monopoly improve the level of concentration, memory and retention in children.

Games with a mathematical element such as sudoku, tic-tac-toe, magnetic darts and even solving the rubiks’s cube are not only engaging, fun-filled and challenging; they are at the same time developers of their logical thinking.

 

5. Make the Study of Maths Visible and Encourage Feedback

Displaying maths related posters play an important role. Visuals can feed a child’s curiosity and impact positively on their learning. The use of colourful and moving displays can catch children's attention and make topics more memorable. This strategy enables children to relate with the subject and understand its relevance in their daily lives which in turn creates more interest and a love for maths. Posters also act as useful reminders and improve understanding. However, that’s not to say, posters should be displayed around the house – just a few relevant ones in their bedroom. I found having a 12 x 12 timetable poster in my children’s bedroom when they were young very beneficial to them, as they would recite them, look for patterns and even investigate inverse operations.

 

It is important for teachers and parents to know where a child stands in relation to their work and potential by providing feedback that is immediate and action-oriented. This can be achieved with regular communication which will be helpful to sort out any problems the child may be encountering in any subject.

Effective teaching at primary levels can help children identify their hidden potential in maths and parents play a major role in activating an interest in maths. It’s imperative to continually motivate children, allowing them to learn at their pace, identify their mathematical mistakes and learn from them. As they say making mistakes is a valuable part of the learning process and in your child’s exciting journey of learning many different things.

Please comment if you have any queries, feedback or any other suggestions.