MUMS and dads across the country wish the dog really did eat their kids' homework, a new poll has revealed.

Parents dread helping out with maths in particular, with 47 per cent of those surveyed saying they find the subject hardest to tackle.

Just one in four can confidently answer questions about algebra, while equations leave 35 per cent completely stumped.

Even basic times tables cause 14 per cent to scratch their heads in bafflement.

It also emerged the average parent spends an average of 37 minutes a week helping their child with their homework, with maths and English being the subjects they spend most time helping their child to complete.

But while parents are most anxious about maths, the research also found they feel apprehensive about science, languages and English.

Martin Hassler Hallstedt, founder of Count on me! maths app which helps children improve their skills through game play and adventure, said: “Maths is an essential subject, and as important to life and career opportunities as reading.

"Still, reading to a child seems more natural than doing maths for many parents, but it doesn’t have to be like this.  

“Regular exposure to maths is key to overcoming the anxiety some parents and children have.

MATHS MISERY

"If possible, associate maths with richer content than just numbers so your child can see and experience the meaning of maths, such as shopping, budgeting, planning a trip or even following a recipe.

“We have found children are able to engage fully in anxiety-free maths for 15 minutes a day – short bursts of exposure with minimal screen time.

“This encourages a happier state of wellbeing and is a more sustainable way of learning that results in long term knowledge retention. With practice, anyone can be a maths person.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll on behalf of Akribian – creators of the new app, also found four in five parents think it’s equally important to make sure their kids are good at both reading and maths.

Just over a third (34 per cent) of parents said their English literacy skills at school were excellent, but out of all the subjects, 42 per cent find maths the most difficult.

While 68 per cent of parents are worried helping their child with their homework might leave them more confused.

In fact, 50 per cent of parents admitted to having ‘maths anxiety’ – a worry about performing mathematical functions, with 40 per cent feeling the same about reading.

And of those with maths anxiety, 83 per cent are concerned their own worries surrounding maths may affect their child’s attitude to the subject.

Regular exposure to maths is key to overcoming anxiety children and parents face

Dr Laura Outhwaite, from University College London said: “There are many challenges for successfully supporting children’s mathematical learning and development, and parent’s anxieties around their own maths abilities is one of them.

"This may lead to parents feeling worried or nervous when helping children with their homework.

“Research shows this can hinder children’s progress in maths and may make them feel anxious about maths too.

“There are ways we can help parents feel more confident though, and technology can play an important role.

“For example, educational maths apps can provide parents with bitesize understandings of their child’s maths development, as well as facilitating maths talk and play in everyday experiences.”

It also emerged that 52 per cent of parents believe children are expected to learn too much these days.

And 23 minutes was considered the average length of time for kids to do their homework before they lose interest.

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Maths, English and history were among the subjects children have a particular low attention span for.

The study also found 61 per cent of parents rely on the internet to search the answers when helping their child with their homework.

Count on Me! helps children aged 6-9 years with early maths concepts such as pattern recognition, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and equalities.

The subjects most likely to make parents feel anxious

1.            Maths

2.            Science

3.            Languages

4.            English

5.            History

6.            Music

7.            Geography

8.            Art

9.            RE

10.          Drama

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