Written By: Muhammad Maarij-VII B
Math Phobia is a serious academic disease that can have really alarming consequences
on a student’s academic performance. Many students might find Mathematics mind boggling, but for me it’s a “Magical Mind Sharpening Therapy”. One of the basic reasons for finding Math fun and energizing is that I am very lucky to have excellent Math teachers since grade 1 till to date, but it doesn’t justify the idea that others who failed to understand Maths didn’t get good teachers.
I agree with the fact that some might not have the aptitude for Maths: however, Maths can be made interesting by focusing on the concept when it is being taught. Also one needs to question the teacher in case of any kind of confusion. Furthermore, regular practice of the taught concepts does the magic. Some additional ways to make it interesting is to gamify it by using apps like ‘DoodleMath’, ‘Dragon Box’ or playing some common games like ‘Math scavenger hunt’ or Math board games.
A few more exciting ways to decrease Math anxiety are:
Math Talk: Instead of silent worksheets, talk through the logic. Ask, “How did you see that problem in your head?” You’ll realize there are often 5 different ways to get to the same result.
Pro Tip: Try the “24 Game.” Take any four numbers (like 4, 8, 2, and 1) and try to combine them using any operation ( +, -, x, ÷) to get the number 24. It’s a great brain-teaser for car rides or other free times.
So let’s take Maths as ‘Mapping all hidden symmetries’ and ‘Mistakes allow thinking habits to strengthen’ instead of ‘Mental agony to harass students.’