DS (9) antagonistic towards anything "difficult" or new - help!

[colouredchalk]

This all started with maths homework, but has spread to anything he finds even slightly challenging - whether related to school or not.

DS is a smart kid who does really well in all subject areas at school, and I think that because he's found most things easy so far he's uncomfortable when faced with something more challenging. Right now he's working on some maths homework and is stomping around huffing and puffing, and when either his Dad or I try to go through the ones he's got wrong he's "but-but-but"-ing, arguing and rolling his eyes etc. This behaviour isn't limited to school work, but crops up anytime he's asked to do something out of the ordinary or something he finds a challenge/boring.

I remember this behaviour from when he was a toddler and got frustrated with something new or challenging - back then, two minutes on the "chill out step" soon sorted him out! He's nine now but still finds it really hard to articulate why he's frustrated, annoyed and angry, and I'm struggling to work out the best way to help him.

Any ideas very much appreciated!

[cece]

Try reading about growth mindset