Developing a positive relationship with mathematics early on can have a powerful and lasting impact
When young learners experience success, enjoyment, and a sense of belonging in mathematics (both at home and in the classroom), they’re far more likely to stay confident and engaged as they progress through school and into adulthood.
Creating this foundation begins with meaningful early experiences: opportunities to explore, to take risks, to feel supported, and to see themselves as capable mathematicians.
Each success, no matter how small, reinforces their confidence and strengthens the skills they need to grow.
Research consistently shows that students who enjoy mathematics or feel a sense of pride in their progress tend to achieve more over the long term.
Positive emotions fuel persistence, and each successful experience reinforces a student’s belief that they can be a capable mathematician. This is why cultivating a love of mathematics early on is so critical: it helps prevent the all-too-common cycle of students thinking, “I’m just not a math(s) person.”
Across the world, education systems are recognising the importance of strong analytical and numerical skills, especially as data and problem-solving play an increasingly central role in modern life and work. Building confidence early gives students the foundation they need to thrive in these environments.
With this in mind, here are seven strategies to help spark curiosity, confidence, and joy in mathematics – so learners feel eager and enthusiastic about engaging with the subject as they grow.
1. Use the language of mathematics in everyday situations
One of the most effective ways to build early mathematical understanding is to connect mathematics to real-world experiences.
When teachers seize these natural, everyday ‘teachable moments’, they help students recognise mathematics as meaningful, useful, and all around them.
Look for opportunities to introduce or reinforce mathematical language – such as comparisons, quantities, position words, or descriptive attributes – as students explore, play, or converse.
Simple comments like “fast,” “high,” “bigger,” “closer,” or “more” can open the door to rich mathematical thinking.
For example, if a student says, “Look, that bird is flying so fast and high!” you might extend the moment by asking:
- How high do you think the bird is flying?
- Is it higher than our school building?
- How fast do you think it’s going?
- Do you think the bird is flying faster than a car?
These small conversations help students build confidence with mathematical vocabulary while developing curiosity and reasoning.
2. Provide a variety of learning materials and approaches
Young learners benefit from experiencing mathematics in multiple ways.
Offering diverse tools, activities, and modes of exploration allows students to discover how they learn best – while keeping mathematics engaging and accessible.
Here are several ways to support rich early learning experiences:
- Hands-on exploration: Encourage students to investigate patterns, shapes, or spatial relationships using real objects, building materials, or natural elements.
- Collaborative activities: Learning mathematics together fosters communication, problem-solving, and shared reasoning.
- Mathematics-themed books: A diverse collection of picture books – whether explicitly mathematical or not – helps students encounter mathematical ideas through stories, illustrations, and language.
- Technology-enhanced learning: Digital tools can support experimentation, investigation, and immediate feedback in ways that complement hands-on learning.
- Games and gamified tasks: Game elements such as goals, challenges, and rewards can motivate learners while building fluency and confidence.
3. Get to know your students
Every learner brings unique strengths, experiences, interests, and ways of thinking to the classroom.
Building genuine connections – both inside and outside of lessons – helps teachers understand who students are and what motivates them.
With larger class sizes, having meaningful conversations with every student can be challenging.
Here are two practical ways to make it manageable:
- Use a simple survey: At the start of the year, invite students to share their interests, preferred learning styles, and feelings about mathematics. Insights from families can also help build a fuller picture.
- Create a rotation system: Choose a small group of students each week to check in with intentionally. Ask open-ended questions about what they enjoy, where they feel confident, and which areas they find challenging. Over time, you’ll build a comprehensive understanding of the whole class.
As you learn more about your students, you can amplify their strengths, adjust your explanations, and offer targeted support where needed.
4. Connect new learning to what students already know
Just as reading a book from the middle makes it difficult to understand the plot, students may struggle with mathematics when foundational ideas are missing or unclear.
To help all learners make sense of new concepts, start by uncovering what they already understand:
- What prior knowledge do they have that connects to this lesson?
- Are there gaps or “missing chapters” that might affect today’s learning?
- Which ideas are essential for grasping the new content?
When teachers identify where students are in their learning journey, they can adapt explanations, scaffold new ideas, and support learners more effectively.
5. Show students the progress they’ve made
Celebrating growth builds motivation and confidence. Help students acknowledge their effort by making progress visible. You might:
- Introduce individual or class progress charts.
- Celebrate milestones during mid-year check-ins.
- Award certificates, badges, or special acknowledgements for persistence and improvement.
These small moments of recognition can have a powerful impact on students’ belief in themselves as mathematicians.
6. Explore interesting careers connected to mathematics
Mathematics opens doors to a wide range of pathways – far beyond what learners might initially imagine.
Introducing students to different careers can help them see the relevance and possibilities ahead.
Share examples from STEM professions, but also from fields like design, sports, health, architecture, finance, technology, media, and more.
Tie their interests back to foundational mathematical ideas:
- A student who loves design might explore proportion, symmetry, or measurement.
- A sports enthusiast might investigate statistics or data analysis.
- A budding chef might explore fractions, ratios, and timing.
Showing students that mathematics is woven into so many careers helps motivate them to engage deeply with the subject.
7. Foster a positive mathematical mindset
Research by Carol Dweck and others highlights how deeply a student’s mindset influences learning.
Encouraging a growth mindset helps students embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist through difficulty.
Here are ways to nurture positive mathematical mindsets:
- Celebrate mistakes as opportunities to learn.
- Praise the process – effort, strategies, focus – rather than innate talent.
- Use mixed–ability groupings to encourage peer learning and shared problem-solving.
- Reflect on your own attitudes toward mathematics and how they may influence students.
- Examine your assumptions about which students you think are ‘good at maths’ – all learners can grow.
Every child has the potential to flourish in mathematics. By nurturing curiosity, confidence, and perseverance, we equip them with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Unleash your students’ inner mathlete this World Maths Day
Give your learners the chance to celebrate mathematics on a global stage.
World Maths Day brings together millions of students from around the world for a day of fun, friendly competition, and mathematical excitement.
Watch their confidence grow as they challenge themselves and connect with peers across the globe!
