Coming soon
The Psychology of Maths
This isn't the book I planned to write. It's the book my learners asked me to write.
"Why do so many capable people believe they can't do maths?"
For many years I thought I was teaching maths. My learners taught me something very different.
Again and again, I met intelligent, capable people who believed they simply couldn't do maths. They weren't lacking determination and they weren't lacking ability.
Many were carrying years of negative experiences, lost confidence and deeply held beliefs about themselves.
The more I listened, the more I realised that before I could help some learners to engage with maths, I needed to understand the person sitting in front of me.
That realisation changed the way I taught. It also raised a question that has stayed with me ever since.
Why do so many people believe they can't learn mathematics?
More Than a Maths Book
This is not a book about formulas, it is not a revision guide, it is not another textbook, it is an exploration of the thoughts, beliefs, emotions and experiences that can shape our relationship with mathematics — and of what happens when those experiences begin to affect our ability to learn. It is an exploration of the thoughts, beliefs, emotions and experiences that shape our relationship with maths and draws on years of teaching, academic research, professional experience and continuing learning.
So what if the biggest barriers to learning maths aren't mathematical at all?
What Will the Book Explore?
The Psychology of Maths will explore topics including:
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Why so many adults believe they are "bad at maths".
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How previous experiences can shape our relationship with maths.
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Confidence and mathematical learning.
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Maths anxiety.
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Psychological barriers to learning.
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Different ways learners can find their way into mathematical understanding.
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Why understanding matters more than memorising.
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The importance of hope in education.
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Teaching the person and not just teaching the maths.
A Book for...
Although rooted in maths, this book is written for anyone interested in learning and education.
Including:
Adult learners
Educational leaders
Teachers
Tutors
Anyone who has ever believed mathematics wasn't for them
Why I'm writing this book
Many of the ideas in this book have grown directly from those conversations. Others have developed through my academic research, including my Bachelor's and Master's research, alongside years of teaching maths and continuing professional learning. My ongoing studies in trauma coaching and educational psychology are part of that continuing exploration, but this book has grown from a much longer journey.
This book is my attempt to bring those experiences, questions and research together and begin a wider conversation about the way we think about maths in education. I'm sharing the journey as the book develops because I want the ideas to continue to grow through research, reflection and conversation.
If you'd like to follow its progress and be among the first to know when it becomes available, you can register your interest below.
Join the journey
The Psychology of Maths is currently being written. If you'd like to follow its progress, hear about new developments or be among the first to know when it becomes available, I'd love you to join the journey.
Maths Mindset
Finding maths difficult at times is normal for a lot of people. A lot of people don’t get it right straight away, and improvement usually comes from repetition rather than instant understanding. Mistakes are a useful part of learning because they show you what to adjust next.
Psychology of Maths:
What is your relationship with maths?
Perhaps today is the beginning of a new answer.