G&T reception maths resources

[cornflakegirl]

DS1 (4.7) has been put on the G&T register for reading and maths. With reading he's good but not amazing - still a way off reading books by himself for enjoyment. However, with maths, I think he may have a real talent, and I'm not sure the school realise how quickly he's moving - mainly by himself. The other day he told me that he could count backwards in 3s, and did so, starting at 11 and finishing at -1. Not something I've ever asked him to try doing.

Anyway, maths is my subject, so I'm quite happy to do stuff with him at home, and let him learn to play nicely etc at school. But I could do with some resources as a start point. Can anyone suggest stuff to guide me, please?

What sort of stuff do you want to do with him? What are you setting out to achieve - ie do you want him to learn more advanced stuff or just do fun, maths-based games?

I'm not really sure. Probably both. I want him to keep exploring and keep enjoying maths. I'm guessing that will involve some more advanced stuff, but I don't want to hothouse him.

I'd get plenty of games for you to play together, and avoid the worksheets/workbook route.

there are great games you can try - do you have a good children's toy shop nearby? have a good browse for ideas

games that involve a little more logic, reasoning and maths skills than traditional roll the die and take your turn sort of game -
blokus
connect 4
yahtzee
dominos
triominos
wedgeits

also try these sites

www.thehappypuzzlecompany.com
www.learningresources.com

I think the Brighminds website/catalogue has lots of maths-based games too. Personally I would concentrate on games rather than teaching him more advanced stuff but that is just me! My older ds has a couple of the Professor Layton games for the DS which are good too

I was going to suggest some DS games too. If your son has got one, there are some great 'education' games whereby they thinking they are playing but actually having fun too. My DD is G&T at her school (better at English than Maths) and she loves doing her DS Games, she loves her Junior Brain Trainer, Making ten, Maths play and so on.... Interestingly, she's not really that interested in the standard children's stuff (disney games and so on), she'll play those ones, but only for a little time, and then go back to more educational ones.

Also, what about getting some children's suduko books? Again, my DD can waste hours doing hers. (She's yr 1 btw).

number shark is a good ICT resource - about £60 I think - can be used at different levels in all areas of maths.

Thanks. He does really like games so that is good advice - will look at getting him some more.

I could do with some teaching stuff too I think though, because that is where DS is wanting to go. Eg he wants to be able to add two and three digit numbers together, but doesn't have the skills.

Sorry - didn't refresh the page and missed the other posts. He doesn't have a DS - he's a bit of a Wii addict, so I'm resisting an additional console at the moment. It's good to know there are some good educational games for when he inevitably does get one though!

Thanks for the tip on sudoku - I'd assumed he was still too young for them, but maybe not.

Will have a look at number shark too - thanks.

Dd1 started playing sudoku in reception, she's now almost 6 and better that me at it , she also enjoyed doing the maths workbooks (not sure what they are called) which you can get from book shops). Dd1 was (still is) 2 years ahead with reading, writing and maths. I think just doing activities at home like the others have suggested is the best way to go.

DadAtLarge might have some ideas if he's around. I always recommend 'murderous maths' books, but not before his reading is up to it - probably more suited to primary aged mathmos rather than infants.

my 2 dds have been enjoying the online based Maths-whizz, one since November, and I think there is a free trial. DH and I have been impressed with it as a teaching aid and we can easily see how they are getting on (unlike school). It looks enviably fun.

We also have had some sucess with Explore Learning centres (includes literacy too), but the parent drops them off there, it's less hands on. You can use childcare vouchers (and get some shopping done in peace!)