In recent years, there has been growing concern that Australian children are falling behind in mathematics. As a tutor working closely with students from primary through to Year 12, I witness this trend daily—and unfortunately, the struggles go far deeper than simply “not liking maths.”

Recently, I was interviewed by ABC Radio (listen to 20:00 -25:35 min) to share my perspective on this issue. One of the questions they asked was, “Do students need calculators? Do they still need to memorise their times tables?”

My answer was clear and straightforward:
Primary school students do not need calculators. What they need is strong mental arithmetic.

Why Mental Arithmetic Still Matters

In today’s digital age, where calculators and apps are readily available, it might seem like doing mental maths is no longer necessary. However, relying too heavily on technology, especially from a young age, can prevent children from developing essential problem-solving skills.

Children should be able to calculate everyday problems in their heads, whether it’s figuring out if they have enough money at the shops or estimating how much change they’ll get back. These basic number skills are not only practical but critical for independence.

Unfortunately, I’m seeing more and more students entering high school without these foundations. Alarmingly, some can solve algebraic equations but stumble when asked to add or subtract fractions. This isn’t due to a lack of ability—rather, it reflects a lack of early foundational teaching.

What’s Going Wrong in Primary School?

One major factor contributing to this issue is that many primary school teachers are not maths specialists. Some lack confidence in teaching the subject altogether. While it’s not their fault—they’re required to cover a broad curriculum with limited time and resources—the impact is significant.

When teachers don’t feel confident teaching maths, that uncertainty is transferred to the students. As a result, children begin to believe that maths is inherently difficult or even something to fear. Over time, this belief becomes internalised, leading to disengagement and anxiety around maths.

Therefore, we must recognise that this isn’t just a teacher problem—it’s a system-wide issue. And unless it’s addressed, the cycle will continue.

Parents’ Words Matter More Than They Realise

In addition to what happens at school, what children hear at home can have just as much impact. I often hear parents say things like:

• “I was never a maths person.”
• “I’m just not good at numbers.”
• “Maths is hard—some people just can’t do it.”

While these comments might seem harmless or even humorous, they send powerful signals to kids. When parents say they’re not “maths people,” children often internalise that message and assume it’s normal—or even acceptable—not to be good at maths.

However, we don’t need every child to become a mathematician. What we do need is for every child to develop strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence when working with numbers.

These skills are essential not just for school, but for navigating life.

Maths Confidence Affects Overall Learning

It’s important to note that a lack of maths skills doesn’t just hurt academic performance in maths class. It also undermines students’ confidence in other subjects.

In fact, numeracy and literacy are closely connected. Students who struggle with reading comprehension are likely to struggle with interpreting word problems, understanding mathematical language, or extracting meaning from data. In other words, if a child is behind in literacy, they’ll likely fall behind in numeracy as well.

Beyond academics, the consequences are even more real:

Children grow into adults who must manage mortgages, compare mobile phone plans, understand interest rates, track expenses, and make financial decisions. If they don’t have solid numeracy skills, managing these everyday responsibilities becomes difficult.

Are We Encouraging Mental Laziness?

Another worrying trend is our increasing dependence on technology to “do the thinking” for us. Students are often given calculators or digital tools before they’ve developed the foundational skills to understand what they’re doing.
As a result, they’re not learning how to think—they’re learning how to rely on shortcuts.

Problem-solving is not just a maths skill—it’s a life skill. It builds resilience, logical thinking, and the ability to persevere through challenges.

However, without regular opportunities to practice mental arithmetic and problem-solving, we are unintentionally raising a generation of students who lack these critical skills.

So, What’s the Solution?

While the challenges are real, there are clear, actionable steps we can take to turn things around. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Support Primary Teachers More Effectively

First and foremost, teachers need proper support. This includes training, resources, and access to maths specialists who can co-teach or mentor within the classroom. By building teachers’ confidence, we build students’ confidence.

2. Encourage Early Parental Involvement

Parents should be engaged in their children’s maths journey from the beginning, not just in Year 11 or 12 when things get critical. I often hear from parents of senior students who realise too late that their child has struggled for years. The earlier parents get involved, the more impact they can have.

3. Change the Narrative Around Maths at Home

Let’s stop telling kids that it’s okay to be “bad at maths.” Instead, we can say:

• “Maths is a skill you can develop.”
• “It’s okay to find it hard—that’s how learning works.”
• “Let’s solve this together.”

This small shift in language can go a long way in changing a child’s mindset.

4. Make Problem-Solving a Daily Habit

Whether it’s through games, puzzles, budgeting, or even cooking, there are plenty of ways to integrate real-life maths into the home. These experiences help children see the value of maths beyond the classroom.

Final Thoughts

Maths isn’t just about numbers—it’s about thinking. When taught well, it builds logic, confidence, and independence. But when neglected, it creates anxiety, self-doubt, and missed opportunities.

By supporting teachers, involving parents early, and rethinking our attitudes toward maths, we can help Australian kids rediscover their confidence in maths—and in themselves.

Let’s give every child the chance to succeed—not just in school, but in life.

🎧 Listen to my full interview (listen to 20:00 -25:35 min) with ABC Radio here: [ABC Radio Link]

📘 Want help building your child’s maths confidence? Contact me to learn more about personalised support.