Math Anxiety PDF

# **MATH ANXIETY** A hand is holding the letter "E" and moving it to the end of the word "ANXIETY" to create the phrase "MATH ANXIETY". ## What is Math Anxiety? - A stress, tension and/or strain on the body and mind, often due to a negative experience in Math - Feeling of anxiety that one canno...

# **MATH ANXIETY** A hand is holding the letter "E" and moving it to the end of the word "ANXIETY" to create the phrase "MATH ANXIETY". ## What is Math Anxiety? - A stress, tension and/or strain on the body and mind, often due to a negative experience in Math - Feeling of anxiety that one cannot perform efficiently in situations that involve the use of mathematics - Although it is mostly associated with academics, it can apply to other aspects of life. ## Where does Math Anxiety come from? - From unpleasant experiences in Mathematics - Typically Math phobics have had Math presented in such a fashion that it led to limited understanding. - Unfortunately, Math anxiety is often due to poor teaching and poor experiences in Math which typically leads to Math anxiety. ## Overcoming math anxiety begins with a positive attitude! 1. Positive self-image 2. Positive goals 3. Positive outlook 4. Be determined to understand the Math. 5. Don't settle for anything less during instruction. Ask for clear illustrations and/or demonstrations or simulations. 6. Practice regularly, especially when you're having difficulty. 7. Work with peers that understand the Math. ## You can do the Math - Sometimes it just takes a different approach for you to understand some of the concepts. - Don't just read over your notes, do the Math. - Practice the Math and make sure you can honestly state that you understand what you are doing. ## “The only way to learn Mathematics is to do Mathematics” - Paul Halmos