Enriching HEI Training to Help Future Primary School Teachers Tackle Math Anxiety in Themselves and Their Pupils

Mathematics plays a fundamental role in education and society, yet declining mathematical competence across Europe poses a major challenge (e.g., TIMMS, 2023). Math anxiety (MA) creates psychological barriers that hinder students’ engagement with mathematics (Cipora et al., 2022). MA often begins in primary school and persists into adulthood. Many primary school teachers experience MA themselves, affecting their ability to teach math confidently (van Dijck & Simons, to be submitted; Artemenko et al., 2021) and unintentionally reinforcing negative attitudes toward math in (mainly female) children (Beilock et al., 2010). Despite its impact, MA remains largely unaddressed in teacher-training programs, leaving future teachers unaware of its existence and uncertain about how to manage it. 

By integrating targeted resources into teacher-training curricula, this project will equip Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with essential tools to enhance mathematics education. These resources include pedagogical strategies to prevent MA in children, assessment and intervention materials for identifying and addressing MA, and tools to support teacher-training students in managing their own MA. Embedding these resources into HEI programs will strengthen future educators’ confidence, foster a positive learning environment, and improve mathematical competence across Europe.