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Original poster

To think a 9/10 yo should be able to add 8+7 in their head?

117 replies

WittiestUsernameEver · 04/04/2024 17:48

Am I missing something?

A few kids I've been with around 9-10 (yr 5) have struggled with what I'd consider simple mental arithmetic? So one definitely couldn't do 8+7, another struggled with 5+9, and the third child had a similar question.

Am I expecting too much? Is it the way maths is taught these days makes it harder somehow ? Don't they have to do this very much? I'm genuinely surprised.

OP posts:
TheFairCat · 04/04/2024 19:58

My Y1 child (who is fairly average) could definitely do those sums quickly and possibly in his head. He wouldn’t know them ‘instantly’ though. Neither would I and I’m 46. Those mentioning number bonds to 10 and 20, I don’t think that is relevant here. Number bonds are when children learn the combinations of numbers that add up to 10 and 20. My son (and 8 year old daughter who has SEN) can do those instantly.

I would say an ‘average’ 9 year old child could do those sums in their head very quickly and without difficulty. However, a child not being able to do it is not necessarily indicative of their intelligence or their mathematical ability.

I would say that many average 4 year olds would NOT be able to do those sums in their head, but being able to do it isn’t a marker for genius (however smug their parents are).

LittleMissSleepyUK · 04/04/2024 19:44

I’d have to use my fingers!

calligraphee · 04/04/2024 19:39

There is a big range amongst kids, and there are situations where kids who can do it freeze or struggle.

I would expect most of that age to be able to do it, because they will have practised their number bonds.

Shopper727 · 04/04/2024 19:38

My son has dyscalculia so would struggle if you put him on the spot like that, he doesn’t know his tables, not for want of trying and doing them every night they just didn’t stick I was the same but you learn go arounds and it’s not a measure of intelligence or ability if you can’t answer a ‘simple sun’ on the spot I’d likely have to think about it - am a nurse and do complicated drug calculations for tiny babies no problem at all but it’s different.

TeenDivided · 04/04/2024 19:35

My 19yo struggles with mental maths as she has working memory difficulties.

(Interestingly I discovered last week that neither of my adult DDs can say the months of the year backwards, though the doctors treating y 87yo Mum were impressed how well she could do this the day after a general anesthetic.)

xyz111 · 04/04/2024 19:32

I just asked my DS6 and he was able to answer it.

Abhannmor · 04/04/2024 19:04

I could do 12X multiplication tables at 10. Came in handy later but I never found a use for long division tbh. Maybe it's not taught the same - we used to chant the tables together. We'll all be snookered if the Internet goes down!

Heatherbell1978 · 04/04/2024 18:59

My 9 year old might hesitate but his cohort were massively impacted by Covid. Lots of foundations like number bonds weren't covered. I see a huge difference between him and my 7 year old who wasn't impacted educationally by COVID.

RoseAndRose · 04/04/2024 18:58

TheCoffeeNebula · 04/04/2024 17:58

Kids these days don't play enough cribbage.

Grin Or darts!

I thought number bonds to 20 was done pretty early in KS1

noworklifebalance · 04/04/2024 18:56

Number bonds to 20 were nailed by y1, timestables from y1-2. Fractions from year 3 onwards and adding and subtracting from Y5, maybe y4

Notmyuser · 04/04/2024 18:51

dizzydizzydizzy · 04/04/2024 18:28

DD2 got a B in A Level maths and struggled with this type of thing but she is dyslexic.

Same, I did stats at uni and got an A in maths at school, but still can’t add up numbers in my head.

I have dyscalculia which wasn’t diagnosed until I was in my final year at uni.

mynameiscalypso · 04/04/2024 18:48

@WittiestUsernameEver Yeah, he's watched a lot of numberblocks in his life!

HanaJane · 04/04/2024 18:47

Yes my DD is 9 (yr 4) and would be able to do this!

Maybe they aren't being taught very well at their school?

I'm quite bad at mental arithmetic though actually, some people just are, I'm a lot better at maths on paper (I have a science degree)

Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 04/04/2024 18:44

mynameiscalypso · 04/04/2024 17:55

My DS is in Reception and can do basic sums like that.

In their head?

OP posts:
SnapdragonToadflax · 04/04/2024 18:43

My five year old can do these sums immediately. He does seem to be pretty good at maths though.

My brain goes black when I'm asked mental arithmetic, I have to really focus on getting it working again to answer (though I have memorised a lot of simple sums as that's easier for me).

Soubriquet · 04/04/2024 18:38

My just turned 11 year got it straight away. My 9 year old took a little longer but got it too.

Yes it should be done

kezzykicks · 04/04/2024 18:36

My ds age 7 did this easily but my mind goes totally blank when asked this kind of mental arithmetic and I am dyslexic. I still managed to get an A at gcse but had to develop lots of strategies which others don't need. So maybe something more going on in the ones you asked?

Createausername1970 · 04/04/2024 18:29

TheCoffeeNebula · 04/04/2024 17:58

Kids these days don't play enough cribbage.

Love a game of cribbage!

I discovered my DS was waaaaaaay behind in maths when he crashed out of school in year 8. He struggled with mental arithmetic.

As part of our homeschooling maths we played yatzee and card games like crib most days. It didn't seem like maths to him, but it definitely helped.

dizzydizzydizzy · 04/04/2024 18:28

DD2 got a B in A Level maths and struggled with this type of thing but she is dyslexic.

backaftera2yearbreak · 04/04/2024 18:24

During lockdown my son was in tears because he did not know what 5 plus 1 is 🙄

he was 11 and trying to get out of homeschool as he knew I would lose my patience

Wilkolampshade · 04/04/2024 18:22

TheCoffeeNebula · 04/04/2024 17:58

Kids these days don't play enough cribbage.

😂

CookieSue222 · 04/04/2024 18:22

TheCoffeeNebula · 04/04/2024 17:58

Kids these days don't play enough cribbage.

Love this 🤣🤣🤣

MooseBreath · 04/04/2024 18:20

I couldn't do it in my head then and I still struggle to now. I had to use my fingers (quickly, but the cogs are whirring). I never had instant recognition in Maths. That said, I could read and understand Jane Eyre at 10 years old.

mrsed1987 · 04/04/2024 18:19

My 5 year old in reception did those both instantly when I asked him

Moriquendi · 04/04/2024 18:19

It’s not necessarily a maths problem, could be a working memory problem. I really struggle with mental arithmetic and it’s not that I can’t do the maths, it’s holding the numbers in my head while doing something to them that I find difficult. Write the problem down and it’s easy.