Numicon

[Sarahmumto5]

Hi just wondered if anyone had used numicon at home kit and their opinion as to whether the expensive price tag is worth it? It's for my 4 year old son starting school this September. Thankyou X

[DoubleCarrick]

I'm a tutor and numicon is my magic remedy. I should be a rep for it!

I have no idea how parents would use it though so don't know about whether it would be worth it for you.

That's not meant in a patronising way but couldn't think of a way to word it!

[wobblywonderwoman]

Are they using it in school from September ?

[SaltyMyDear]

It's not worth the expensive price tag for a 4 year old who isn't having problems and hasn't started school yet.

If he was having difficulties and was behind then it'd be a good investment.

[Sarahmumto5]

Thankyou, I'm new to mumsnet and I really appreciate your response. Yeah I had my suspicions, they are using it in school and my son isn't the best at numbers but nothing I'm too worried about just wondered how I could bring him on for a helping handX

[DoubleCarrick]

I disagree with salty. Imo, it's a fantastic resource for a 4yo if you know how to use it

[VanillaLatteAndCake]

I used to be a primary school teacher and think Numicon is excellent no matter the ability of the child. It really helps children to be able to manipulate numbers effectively and understand the value of a number e.g. 15 isn't 1 and 5, it's a ten and five. They can also use the shape of the Numicon to understand how else the number could be made e.g. three 5s would also make the shape shape as the ten and five. (if that makes sense?!)

[happy2bhomely]

I use it with my 3 yr old. She likes to get a sheet of paper and an ink pad, and she puts finger prints in the holes. She already notices she can use two fingers and go 2 and 2 and 2 for the number 6. She likes to arrange them in order or match them.

They were useless for my 6 yr old who is very good at visualising numbers in his head.

They were great for my then 7 yr old when she just couldn't grasp visualising a number line to count back on. She found the physical shapes helped her and she liked making patterns with them.

[Sarahmumto5]

Thankyou all for your responses, I've managed to get hold of a second hand first home kit, so wish us luck xx

[Suzi19]

Hi

I was just wondering how you have got on with the numicon at home? My little girl is in nursery and is 4 in a couple and I'm keen to support her learning at home so was thinking of getting the at home kit (as I've got one in school a 2 year old and pregnant with no 3 I thought I can use it a fair bit!)

Thanks
x