You can do this: How to build confidence with numbers
3. Supporting others with maths anxiety
Why your support matters
Many people feel unsure about numbers, and having someone supportive in their corner can make a big difference. Whether you’re helping a child with homework, working alongside a colleague, or encouraging a friend or family member, your attitude and approach matter as much as your skills.
If someone you know is struggling:
- be patient and encouraging
- avoid making jokes about maths being hard or scary
- praise effort, not just correctness
- help them find a calm environment to practise
- share your own strategies or positive experiences.
People feel safer and more open to learning when they don’t fear judgement. You don’t need to have all the answers, you just need to show support.
Reflection
Think about a time when you or someone you know has experienced symptoms of maths anxiety.
Consider the strategies suggested above. Do you think that any of these might have helped and why?
How might you approach a similar situation in future?
Scenario
You’re helping your friend Ceitidh, who’s applying for a new job.
She needs to complete an online numeracy assessment as part of the application, but she looks worried and says, "I’ve always been terrible at maths. I’ll probably fail."
How do you respond?
- “Don’t worry about it—just guess your way through and hope for the best.”
- “You’ve got this! Let’s look at a few examples together and take it one step at a time.”
- “Well, if you’re not good at maths, maybe it’s not the right job for you.”
The best option is B
“You’ve got this! Let’s look at a few examples together and take it one step at a time.”
This option is encouraging and practical. It shows empathy, avoids judgement, and offers to support Ceitidh in a manageable way. Breaking tasks down into smaller steps can reduce anxiety and help build confidence.
Why not A or C?
A might seem reassuring, but it avoids the issue and could increase stress if Ceitidh feels unprepared.
C reinforces negative beliefs and could make Ceitidh feel worse about herself.