dd1 yr 1 can't add 15+7, dh wants to move her to private school. Opinions?

[mumonahottinroof]

DD1 is a sensitive soul and homework with her is never fun. Yesterday I had a lie in and came down to discover her in tears and dh in a fury because he'd spent an hour trying to explain to her how to add 15 + 7 for her homework. She just didn't get it and when she doesn't grap something she gets in a terrible tizz, screams and refuses to listen. Dh fulminating about how we should move her to a private school where she'd be "taught properly"

Now please don't flame, dh was just in a bad mood - he and I agree that the teaching at her school is generally excellent. We are going to move dd to a private school at some point as our local secondary is diabolical but for now I'm happy with where she is. What I want to know is - is a) is it unusual for a 6yo to find this kind of addition hard b) How can I help her "get" it?

By the way, in the end she didn't do homework and I wrote a note on it saying she didn't understand and I didn't think it would help if I just did it for her. Am hoping her teacher (who has just started, old adored one has gone on ml) will read and take note.

Just asked year 1 ds and he could. I said how? and he said 'I put 15 in my head and added 7'. Must be standard school phrase!

How is it going? Have you decided to change schools or use tuition?

Thanks for asking

I had a word with the teacher, who had a word in turn with dd. At my suggestion (coming from mnetters!) there will be a session next term to explain the maths methods used in the school. DD is now on to telling the time and seems to have grasped the adding with the one in the head one on the hands approach. Private school will happen at some stage but not as a result of this. So result! Thanks everyone.

Hi mummaonahottinroof

First of all hang in there! We were in the same boat with subtraction in Y1 for DD1. We decided the problem was that the fundamental comprehension of how things worked wasn't there because of lack of practice. If your DD is only getting occasional homeworks in maths you may be in a similar position.

We tried Mathsfactor (not trying to advertise - other on-line solutions available) and although it meant practicing 20 - 30 minutes 5 x a week and building that into our routine - it has given our DDs the foundations to maths and seems to speak across the generations.

I used the head and hand method for my dc's and they found it easy.
I would say ' fifteen in mummy's head and seven in your hand' . They would then practise on their siblings 'fifteen in dd1's head and seven in my hand'
So much quicker to teach this way

a) yes, this is quite advanced for a 6 year old (as opposed to a 6+ year old in year 2).
b) wrong of DH to get into a fury....if he finds himself getting frustrated he should walk away.
You did the right thing to write a note to her teacher - there are probably other children who would find it hard and it would be worth the teacher explaining it again.

Isn't Kumon or tutoring for a 6 year old a bit excessive?

In year 1, they usually learn how to 'put the biggest number in your head', and count on. You could ask your daughter to hold up 7 fingers, touch her head as she says the number 15, then put each finger down as she counts '16, 17, 18, 19, etc.'. I agree, bridging 20 in year 1 is difficult.

I know how frustrating it can be to explain again and again in vain, but please be careful. Many children struggle with maths in upper primary school and the only reason is that they believe they cannot do it and so don't try.