Mumsnet Talk

hi, my little man started year 1 today and already we have hit a glitch. (He has a recent dyspraxia diagnosis). All their number bonds and adding/taking away calculations are done on their fingers, and because of muscle tone and reduced dexterity in his hands he struggles to hold up individual fingers, never mind add and take away any!
I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience with another method? Needs to be quick enough to kind of keep up with the other kids....I keep thinking he needs something like on that 'Guess who?' game where you flick the pictures up or down...anyone seem anything vaguely like this to help kids?
Any help would be much appreciated x

Cuisenaire Rods?

Buttons?

Something like that? His teacher should be able to sort out something quite easily........

Thanks..I think they are working on it, just nothing is quite so 'handy' all the time as ..well..your hands! Hopefully we will find a portable easy to access alternative soon...Thanks for the reply

hi we used a number line - which is basically like a simple ruler (used a ruler at home) they should have them in the classroom...for exactly that issue - not being able to count on his fingers is what triggered my ds diagnosis.... hth

abacus.

Thnx all, we have been using some nifty beads on a string, great cos they 'stay' where you place them ifyswim, unlike normal beads. Abacus sounds great too...will enquire. At this point it is a drop in the ocean, he isn't reading yet either. He knows all the sounds but doesn't 'hear' the blending. I guess on some level this too will be down to the dyspraxia...still, with no reading, limited writing and tricky maths..well you can imagine he isn't having the best time. Onwards and upwards tho!