Parents' fear of maths could hold children back, study finds
Parents who feel anxious about maths may unintentionally hinder their child’s early numeracy skills, impacting their school performance, researchers say.
A new study has found that parents who feel anxious about maths may inadvertently affect their children’s ability to develop strong numeracy skills—an effect that can persist as children progress through school.
Researchers from Loughborough University and three Italian universities followed nearly 130 children over five years, starting from the age of three. They assessed parental maths anxiety early on and tracked children’s mathematical development up to the age of eight.
The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, revealed that while children do not necessarily internalise their parents’ anxiety, they do tend to have weaker numeracy skills if their parents feel nervous about maths.
A long-term impact on learning
Dr Kinga Morsanyi, a mathematical cognition expert at Loughborough University, explained:
Our results reveal that parental maths anxiety does impact children’s maths outcomes, even when differences in parental education are taken into account.
The study found that children whose parents reported feeling anxious about maths at age three showed weaker early numeracy skills. By the age of eight, those same children continued to perform worse in maths compared to peers whose parents felt more confident with numbers.
“This is remarkable,” Dr Morsanyi noted, “given the strong influence of schooling on maths development.”
Why early maths confidence matters
Early numeracy skills are a key predictor of academic success, influencing future career opportunities, earning potential, and even long-term mental and physical wellbeing. The researchers hope their findings highlight the need for parental support initiatives to boost both children’s and parents’ confidence in maths.
How parents can help—even if they struggle with maths
For parents concerned about their own maths anxiety, Dr Morsanyi suggests small changes in attitude and language can make a big difference.
One simple yet powerful step parents can take is to speak more positively about maths and recognise that you do not need a special talent in maths to be able to learn it.
She adds that even if parents struggle with numbers, showing interest, enthusiasm, and encouragement can support children’s learning.
For parents looking to boost their own confidence, Dr Morsanyi recommends exploring adult numeracy classes or using free online resources. She also suggests adopting a ‘growth mindset’—recognising that making mistakes in maths is part of the learning process.
The study, conducted with children in Italy—where school starts at age six—has prompted researchers to investigate how these findings apply across different countries. They are also looking into the early origins of maths anxiety and the role parents play in shaping their children’s mathematical development.
For now, the key takeaway is clear: a positive attitude towards maths at home could set children up for long-term success.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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