My dd2 who is in reception, just seems to have "clicked" with numbers. She knows her 2, 5, 10 and 11 times tables, and can explain the patterns in them (not just reciting them by rote IYSWIM). She knows her number bonds to 10 inside out. Her older sister has just been sitting her year 2 SATs, and when she brought home mock papers to practice over the holidays, and got stuck on questions, dd2 was shouting the answers out from the other side of the room (eg dd1 - "Mummy, I don't understand the question, 10x2=4x?" dd2 - "5. The answer's 20 so it's 5")

I've spoken to dd2's teacher and mentioned that she's really interested in numbers and the patterns at the moment, and whilst she's in the mood, so to speak, is there anything I can be doing with her at home? Her teacher replied no, as she doesn't want her to get ahead of her peers.

My feeling is that if a child is interested in something, and wants to learn more, they should be encouraged. I know it probably won't last long, and as soon as the weather changes, her interest will too! But it seems to me that the teacher just wants to make life easy for herself!

What's your opinion? Should I encourage her? If so, what comes next? Or should I direct her interest in patterns to something else, eg music?

She's 5 next month btw.

Thanks

Music and maths do go hand in hand, so encourage that.

How is she with time, shape, measuring etc?

I do agree a little with dds teacher, your dd is already huge steps ahead of her peers, so just go with the flow.

Hmm, Nell, thanks, that's why I was wondering about music, to still go with the "patterns" theme but in a different direction. Or good suggestion with times etc. Thanks

Yes, if she's generally interested encourage her. It sounds to me she already is miles ahead of her peers (my dd is also in Reception), so the teacher is talking rubbish. What is the school's gifted & talented policy? Can you get help from a specialist teacher, TA or SENCO (G&T is Special Needs too but, unfortunately, most schools don't have time to deal with it).

Yes, if she's generally interested encourage her. It sounds to me she already is miles ahead of her peers (my dd is also in Reception), so the teacher is talking rubbish. What is the school's gifted & talented policy? Can you get help from a specialist teacher, TA or SENCO (G&T is Special Needs too but, unfortunately, most schools don't have time to deal with it).

I was allowed to go at my own pace in maths, by my infant teacher. After two years and two weeks of primary school I'd finished the curriculum. There then followed several years in the mathematical wilderness where I made no real progress, and this continued to secondary. Fortunately, things sorted themselves out and I went on to do maths at Oxford. I'm resolved that if this happens to either of my boys, I won't let them get ahead of their peers but I will supply extra material for them to explore mathematical topics that could run in parallel to the curriculum - e.g. letting a child explore combinatorics, fractals, algebra, set theory etc - or just doing puzzles. I'd recommend the usbourne book of puzzles as that has some good number ones, and perhaps look out for some cut out and stick mathematical shapes as a fun extracurricular activity for a mathematical 5-year-old.

Mmmm. Not a great response in my book. Your dd sounds very advanced.

I think music is an extremely good idea. I liked the look of the NRICH maths website. Maybe also consider whether she might enjoy learning chess? would you have time to think about setting up a chess club at school?

Thank you, some good suggestions there. Time to pull out "Chester's Easiest Piano Course Book 1" I think!!