Dear Elementary Families,

Math Anxiety: Learning Through the Stretch

Have you ever heard a child say, “I’m just not a math person”? If you work with students long enough, you hear it all the time. Sometimes it’s said quietly. Sometimes with tears. Sometimes with frustration. What they are usually experiencing is not a lack of ability — it’s math anxiety.

Math anxiety is that tight feeling in your chest when a problem looks confusing, your mind goes blank, and suddenly you feel stuck. It can happen to adults, too! But here’s the encouraging truth: feeling uncomfortable in math is not a sign that something is wrong. It is often a sign that real learning is happening.

One of my favorite verses that speaks directly to this is Romans 5:3–4:

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

In learning, “suffering” might look like confusion, mistakes, or frustration. When students wrestle with a challenging math problem, they are doing important work — stretching their brains, building perseverance, and developing confidence. God designed our minds to grow through effort, not avoidance. Just like muscles grow when they are challenged, our brains grow when we work through hard things.

So how do we help children move through math anxiety instead of getting stuck in it?

First, we remind them that struggle is normal. When a student says, “This is hard,” we can gently reply, “That means your brain is growing.” Struggle does not mean you are bad at math — it means you are learning something new. Even the best mathematicians were once confused beginners.

Second, we create a safe place to make mistakes. In our classrooms, mistakes are not failures — they are information. They tell us what we understand and what we are still figuring out. When children are afraid to be wrong, anxiety grows. When they know mistakes are welcome, confidence grows.

Third, we focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate small steps: one more problem solved, one new strategy learned, one drill, one brave attempt made. 

Here are a few simple ways families can support students at home:

• Change the language. Instead of “I can’t do this,” try “I can’t do this yet.”

• Normalize effort. Share stories of times when you struggled and kept going.

• Practice little and often. Short, positive practice builds confidence better than long, stressful sessions.

• Pray together. Ask God for patience, focus, and courage when learning feels hard.

Math is not about being flawless. It is about thinking, trying, and growing — exactly the way God designed us to grow in every area of life. When we walk through challenges with perseverance and faith, anxiety begins to lose its power.

A Reminder on School Outerwear

With the temperature fluctuating, we all want to make sure that our children are sufficiently warm.  Please be reminded that students must wear school uniform outerwear (sweatshirts, hoodies, fleece vests/jackets & and shells) at school.  

Please also be sure that your child’s name is written on their uniform outerwear so that it can be returned to them if left behind.

The Elementary School has a provision in the handbook for cold-weather days (12 degrees or below) where students may wear their cold-weather parkas from home.  In the classroom, however, students must wear the uniform and uniform outerwear.