A revealing new survey from the United Kingdom has uncovered a significant link between a mother's fear of mathematics and her child's own performance and attitude towards the subject. The study, commissioned by the charity National Numeracy, which counts UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a patron, suggests that parental attitudes, particularly maternal ones, play a crucial role in shaping a child's mathematical confidence.
The Cycle of Anxiety: How Parents Influence Young Minds
The research, which surveyed 1,000 parents of children aged 6 to 11, found a direct correlation between parental unease with maths and their children's struggles. Nearly a third (30%) of parents admitted to feeling anxious about maths. This discomfort has tangible consequences in the home. The study revealed that children of these parents are more likely to hear negative statements about the subject, creating an environment where maths is viewed as difficult or intimidating.
This phenomenon is not just about words; it affects behaviour. Parents with maths anxiety are less likely to engage in number-based play or everyday maths activities with their children, such as calculating discounts while shopping or measuring ingredients for cooking. This lack of positive, casual exposure can hinder a child's natural numerical development and reinforce the idea that maths is a formal, stressful activity to be avoided.
Gender Disparity and the Maternal Link
A striking finding of the survey points to a gender gap in how this anxiety is transmitted. The data indicates that mothers are more likely than fathers to pass on their maths anxiety to their children. This is particularly impactful as mothers are often the primary caregivers involved in early learning activities and homework support. When a mother expresses stress or helplessness with maths, children internalise those feelings, potentially affecting their own self-belief and achievement.
The consequences are clear in the numbers: children of maths-anxious parents were twice as likely to have fallen behind their expected level at school compared to children whose parents were confident. This creates a worrying cycle where negative perceptions are passed down through generations, limiting educational and future career opportunities.
Breaking the Cycle: Recommendations and the Role of National Numeracy
The report, released to coincide with the UK's National Numeracy Day, is a call to action. It underscores that parental attitude is as important as natural aptitude in a child's mathematical journey. The findings challenge the common societal acceptance of being "bad at maths," highlighting it as a barrier that needs to be dismantled for the sake of future generations.
National Numeracy, the charity behind the study, is advocating for a multi-pronged approach to break this cycle. Their recommendations include:
- Improving parental confidence: Providing resources and support for parents to overcome their own maths fears.
- Promoting positive messaging: Encouraging parents to use positive language about maths in daily life.
- Integrating maths into play: Highlighting simple ways to incorporate numerical thinking into everyday activities and games.
The charity emphasises that boosting parental confidence can have a direct and positive impact on children's outcomes. By reframing maths as a fun, accessible, and essential life skill rather than a daunting academic hurdle, families can foster a healthier learning environment. This initiative gains further prominence with the backing of Rishi Sunak, who has consistently advocated for improved numeracy skills in the UK population.
This research serves as a crucial reminder for educators and policymakers worldwide, including in India, where academic pressure is significant. It shifts some focus from the classroom to the home, suggesting that supporting parents is a vital step in supporting students. Addressing the emotional and psychological barriers to learning maths may be just as important as refining teaching methodologies.
