Teaching to diffuse Math Anxiety.

Teachers play an important part role in relation to help students cope with math anxiety.

Here is a list of some things that teachers can do to help:

• Teachers should create a comfortable, calm, non threatening, learning environment. 
• They should let the students know that they care for them; care for their feelings and learning.
•  Teacher should encourage their students to ask any question and be willing to answer all that arise.
• Teachers should handle incorrect responses/answer positively to encourage the student involvement and to enhance their confidence.
• Teachers should never make a student feel "stupid", deliberately or unintentionally.
• Teachers should communicate their enjoyment of math in their teaching.
• Teacher should teach for understanding not for just replication of the procedure demonstrated.
• Teachers shouldn't prejudice a student's ability or make an assumption about a his motivation without exploring the background and/or life situation of the student.
• Teachers should encourage students to maximize their abilities to learn and not to give up.
• Teachers should avoid anxious students into intimidating circumstances, such as working a problem on the board or being singled out to answer a question in class.
• Teachers should offer students alternative ways of participating in class until their confidence is back.*

One last thought, ALWAYS give positive reinforcement to your student. This will enhance their confidence and self - esteem.


                       *Some parts where taken from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

“A teacher must do more than just give great lectures.  Success for many students is related to how we make them feel in class.”

                           Fiore, 1999