When ‘Careless Mistakes’ Aren’t: Dyscalculia, Math Anxiety, and Learning Strategies That Help

Math is hard. Dyscalculia, a math learning disability, can make learning and calculating numbers downright painful. Persistent difficulties with math can also lead to intense overwhelm and feelings of academic dread, also known as math anxiety. Beyond understanding and recognizing the condition, educators should address dyscalculia-related challenges and strive to make learning math a fun, positive experience.

discoveringdyscalculia

December 30, 2021 at 5:55 pm

This is a well-informed helpful article on dyscalculia and anxiety. It is wonderful to see more professionals writing on the subject. Thank you.
Old Lady Young

September 10, 2021 at 8:41 am

I taught middle school math for decades and loved doing it, making math the favorite subject of most of my students. The biggest secret is being excited yourself and using manipulative to make it fun. I do mean fun. Math can be really fun. Kids came from other classes to get some of my activities, and they weren’t getting any credit. I’ve trained teachers, and too many of them are tired (understandable!)and just do not put forth the effort to create fun activities. They lecture 5 minutes, then assign the odd numbered problems. Rinse and repeat. I addressed learning styles, cognitive skills, and disabilities and accommodated all of them when possible or taught the kids how to work with and around their own set of skills and disabilities. It takes an excited teacher. Yes, it’s tiring! Yes, it’s hard work. Yes, we are underpaid. But seeing kids excited about math is fun for the teacher, too. Having to chase them off after school is rewarding.