Have you ever heard your child say:
“I’m terrible at maths.”
“I can’t do it.”
“Maths is too hard.”
For many parents, these statements are concerning because they often signal something deeper than difficulty with numbers.
Sometimes a child is not struggling with maths itself.
They are struggling with confidence.
The good news is that confidence can be nurtured, and it does not always require extra worksheets, tutoring, or hours of practice.
Sometimes it starts with a simple doodle.
Why Children Start Believing They Are “Bad at Maths”
Many children begin primary school curious and eager to learn.
As they grow older, they encounter more complex concepts, timed tests, comparisons with peers, and increasing academic expectations.
Over time, some children develop beliefs such as:
- “Everyone else understands this except me.”
- “I always get maths wrong.”
- “I’m not a maths person.”
- “I should know the answer immediately.”
These beliefs can create anxiety around learning.
When children feel overwhelmed, they often stop taking risks, avoid challenges, and become less willing to engage with difficult tasks.
What many children do not realise is that maths is not about instantly knowing the answer.
It is about noticing patterns, making connections, and solving problems step by step.
A Simple Doodle Experiment for Preteens
This activity works particularly well with children aged 9-13.
What You Need
Step 1: Create a Messy Doodle
Invite your child to fill a page with random lines, shapes, loops, squiggles, and marks.
Encourage them not to plan anything.
The goal is simply to create a messy page.
Step 2: Ask One Question
Once the doodle is complete, ask:
“Can you find anything that repeats?”
Pause.
Wait.
Observe.
Step 3: Become Pattern Detectives
Most children quickly begin noticing:
- Repeating shapes
- Similar curves
- Symmetry
- Clusters
- Geometric forms
- Patterns hidden within the doodle
As they start identifying these elements, something interesting happens.
The doodle begins to look less chaotic.
The child begins to see order.
The Powerful Lesson Hidden Inside the Activity
The page did not change.
The child changed how they looked at it.
This simple shift mirrors what often happens when children encounter difficult maths problems.
At first, a problem can feel confusing and overwhelming.
The child may believe there is too much information.
Too many numbers.
Too many steps.
Too much uncertainty.
But when they learn to look for one pattern, one clue, or one connection, the challenge becomes more manageable.
The same principle applies to:
- Learning multiplication
- Understanding fractions
- Solving word problems
- Tackling homework
- Developing resilience
Children do not need to understand everything all at once.
They need help finding the next pattern.
What This Activity Teaches Beyond Maths
Although this is a maths-inspired activity, it develops many important life skills.
Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition is a foundational skill in mathematics, science, reading, and problem-solving.
Flexible Thinking
Children learn that there can be multiple ways to interpret information.
Persistence
They experience success through exploration rather than immediate correctness.
Confidence
Children discover that they are capable of finding order within complexity.
Emotional Regulation
Creative activities can help reduce pressure and create a calmer learning environment.
Why Expressive Arts Activities Can Support Learning
As a counselling psychologist and expressive arts practitioner, I often see how creativity opens doors to learning.
When children feel relaxed and engaged, they are more likely to:
- Take risks
- Experiment
- Make mistakes
- Stay curious
- Build confidence
Creative activities provide opportunities for children to experience success without the fear of getting everything right immediately.
This is especially valuable for children who have started to view themselves as “bad” at a particular subject.
Watch the Video Demonstration
I recently shared this doodle experiment in a short video demonstration.
In less than a minute, you’ll see how a simple doodle can become a powerful lesson about confidence, learning, and problem-solving.
If you find it helpful, consider subscribing to EducateAble for more creative learning and emotional wellbeing activities.
Recommended Resources for Creative Learning
If you’d like to explore similar activities at home, here are some useful resources you can find:
Dot Markers Activity Set
Great for pattern-making, visual discrimination, and creative exploration.
Geometry Drawing Kit
A practical way to explore shapes, symmetry, and spatial reasoning.
Blank Sketchbook for Children
Encourages doodling, visual thinking, and creative confidence.
Coloured Fine-Liner Pens
Perfect for highlighting patterns and creating engaging visual activities.
Pattern Blocks Educational Set
Supports early geometry, problem-solving, and mathematical thinking through hands-on play.
Growth Mindset Journal for Kids
Helps children reflect on challenges, effort, and learning.
Final Thoughts
When a child says, “I’m bad at maths,” it can be tempting to focus on getting more answers right.
But confidence often grows before competence.
Sometimes a child simply needs a different way to see the problem.
A doodle may seem insignificant.
Yet within that messy page lies an important lesson:
The challenge has not changed.
What changes is how we look at it.
And often, that’s where learning begins.
💛 Did you try this activity with your child?
Leave a comment below and tell us what patterns you discovered together.
📌 Save this activity for later.
📺 Don’t forget to watch the accompanying YouTube video and subscribe to EducateAble for more creative learning, emotional wellbeing, and child development resources.
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