What is Maths anxiety?
Maths anxiety isn’t about being “bad at maths”. It’s an emotional response that can affect capable, confident learners... and it’s far more common than many realise.
You might recognise this...
Maths anxiety doesn’t always look like panic. Often, it shows up quietly, through behaviours that are easy to misinterpret.
“I’m not good at maths” — before they even try
This is often a protective response, where anxiety convinces learners to opt out before the pressure begins.
Avoidance when maths begins (toilet trips, pencil sharpening, distractions)
Avoidance is a common stress response, helping learners delay or escape situations that feel emotionally unsafe.
Learners who know their facts but freeze during problem-solving
Anxiety can block access to working memory, making it harder to use ideas they already understand.
Frustration, shutdown, or rushing just to be finished
When maths feels overwhelming, learners may rush or withdraw to regain a sense of control.
These behaviours are often misunderstood as lack of effort or confidence. In reality, they’re protective responses to stress.
So, what exactly is Maths anxiety?
Maths anxiety is an emotional stress response triggered by maths tasks. When pressure rises, the brain shifts into “threat mode”, making it harder to think clearly, remember strategies or explain ideas. This is why a child might:
It’s not that the learning has disappeared, anxiety is getting in the way of access.
How Awesomenicity supports confident
Maths learning.
Awesomenicity is designed to reduce maths anxiety while strengthening understanding.
Playful, low-pressure practice
Games that build skills without time pressure
Visual & concrete support
Children grasp concepts with blocks, models, and diagrams
Discussion-rich tasks
Challenges that encourage thinking and speaking.
Confidence before performance
Learner progress without pressure to compete
Why now
Maths anxiety doesn’t wait until secondary school, it often shows up as early as ages 6–7 (OECD, 2019). By the time children reach upper primary, many have already internalised an identity: “I’m good at maths” or “Maths just isn’t for me.” And once that belief sets in, it can quietly influence everything that follows, their confidence, their willingness to try, the subjects they choose and even the careers they imagine for themselves.
That’s why this moment matters. These early years offer a unique window where attitudes are still forming and change is genuinely possible. With the right support, an inclusive classroom culture and resources designed to reduce pressure while building deep understanding, we can interrupt the anxiety cycle before it becomes entrenched.
Maths anxiety doesn’t have to shape a child’s future and right now is the best chance we have to rewrite that story.
Stop the anxiety cycle and start building confidence
Maths should never be a source of dread. It should be discovery, discussion and delight.
With Awesomenicity, we aim to turn “I can’t” into “I get it.”
When that shift happens, lessons feel lighter, classrooms hum with curiosity and children begin to see themselves as capable mathematicians.
Want to see it in action first?
Maths anxiety isn’t about being “bad at maths”. It’s an emotional response that can affect capable, confident learners... and it’s far more common than many realise.
