Math anxiety and mathematical achievement

Abstract

One of the factors limiting mathematical achievement in those years is math anxiety. Math anxiety is a negative emotional reaction to mathematics: one that cannot be fully explained in terms of more a general anxiety trait. In previous studies it has been shown that children with high levels of math anxiety have lower mathematical achievement compared to children with low levels of math anxiety. And yet other international studies have shown a negative relationship between these two variables. So, it remains unclear just how math anxiety does impair mathematical achievement in young children.