How to Help a Child Who Says 'I Hate Math'

Math Anxiety Is Real

When your child says "I hate math," they're often expressing frustration or anxiety, not a genuine dislike. Math anxiety affects up to 25% of students and can start as early as first grade.

Signs of math anxiety:

Avoiding homework or making excuses
Tears or tantrums before math time
Saying "I'm just not a math person"
Physical symptoms (stomach aches before tests)

What Causes Math Anxiety?

Common triggers include:

Timed tests — pressure to perform quickly
Public mistakes — being called on in class
Gaps in knowledge — missing foundational skills
Adult attitudes — parents saying "I was bad at math too"

What NOT to Say

Avoid these phrases:

"Math is easy, just try harder"
"I was never good at math either"
"You just need to memorize it"
"What's taking so long?"

What TO Say

Try these instead:

"This is challenging. Let's figure it out together."
"Mistakes help your brain grow."
"What part is confusing? Let's start there."
"It's okay to use your fingers/draw pictures/take your time."

Building Confidence

Start with success:

Find their current level (where they feel confident)
Practice at that level until it feels easy
Gradually increase difficulty
Celebrate effort, not just correct answers

Make Math Low-Stakes

Remove pressure by:

Practicing without grades or scores
Using games instead of worksheets
Allowing calculators for complex computation
Focusing on understanding, not speed

When to Seek Help

Consider tutoring or assessment if:

Anxiety persists despite your efforts
There are significant gaps in foundational skills
Your child is falling behind in class
The stress is affecting other areas of life

Practice Without Pressure

Our free practice tools let kids work at their own pace with:

No login or tracking
Instant feedback (no waiting for a grade)
Sound and visual effects that make it feel like a game
The ability to try again without penalty