Mathematics doesn’t have to be a source of stress for your child. Yet, many students—especially those preparing for high-stakes exams like Cambridge Primary Checkpoint or A-Levels—develop "maths anxiety," a fear that hinders their performance.

As a Cambridge-trained tutor with years of experience helping African students excel, I’ve seen how the right approach can transform anxiety into confidence. Here’s how you can support your child:

1. Identify the Root Cause

Maths anxiety often stems from:

  • Gaps in foundational knowledge (e.g., struggling with fractions or times tables).
  • Negative past experiences (e.g., embarrassment in class).
  • Pressure to perform (common in exam-focused systems).

Tip: Ask your child, "What specifically feels hard?" to target support.

2. Make Maths Relatable

Children engage better when they see real-world relevance. Try:

  • Money games: "If 1kg of rice costs ₦1,200, how much for 3kg?"
  • Sports stats: Calculate football goal averages or cricket scores.
  • Cooking: Use measurements (e.g., doubling a recipe).

3. Celebrate Small Wins

  • Break problems into micro-steps and praise progress.
  • Example: Instead of "Solve this equation," try:
    "First, let’s isolate the variable. Great! Now, what’s the next step?"

4. Use the Right Resources

  • Cambridge Primary Maths videos (like my subscription tutorials) simplify complex topics.
  • Apps: Try Prodigy Maths or Khan Academy for interactive practice.

5. Normalise Mistakes

Remind your child:
"Even Einstein made errors. Mistakes are how we learn."

  • Share stories of famous scientists who failed before succeeding.

6. Seek Professional Support

If anxiety persists, a tutor can help:

  • Fill knowledge gaps with personalised lessons.
  • Build exam strategies (e.g., time management for Checkpoint tests).

Psst! My online tuition programmes are tailored for African students—book a free trial session today.

Final Thought

Maths anxiety is common but beatable. With patience, the right tools, and a growth mindset, your child can go from "I hate maths" to "I’ve got this!"

Need help? Contact me here or comment below with your questions!

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Would you like me to adapt this for another topic (e.g., "Cambridge vs. WAEC Maths: Key Differences")?