maths software for giving Year 2 child confidence

[clangermum]

DD is OKish with maths - he can grasp the visual stuff like graphs and shapes - but I'm looking for some games he can play to help him along with the rest, mental arithmetic etc., as I noticed that he'll do anything to avoid me sitting down and doing a spelling test with him but will happily do one alone online. So I want him to feel he's playing rather than me pushing him. Is there anything free online, or at a pinch would pay for something if price was reasonable.

The BBc bitesize website is ok (and free!) but could do with a bit of an overhaul IMO as DD had completed all the games whilst in year 1 and they have not been updated - any BBC bods reading, take note. She also subscribes to Grid Club which is much better,and is something that she will do alone. I paid for it with Tesco vouchers so a really good deal.

On a recent thread someone mentioned a free online resource. Could they mention it again ?!? Think it began with a Y ? Kicking myself for not noting at the time.

ICTgames is great for Y2.

Also try Mathszone

maths-whizz is something my son loves but it is 150 per year.

Try www.year2maths.co.uk/

For a paid site, I recommend Whizz because it is structured and follows teaches in a methodical order so that children are not taught to run before they can walk.

We are also using Mathletics through school, which, whilst its not as good at teaching as Whizz, it is very different and has a lot to offer for the price. It is fantastic for motivation and confidence and there are a lot of excellent features on the site. It is much better value for money and more varied than Whizz.

With subscription sites, you get a running record of where your child is at (to a point) whereas with free sites, if your child is using them you dont know if they were successful or not unless you sit with them

However, on saying that, there are a lot of absolutely fantastic free maths sites which are just as effective and very motivating.

Type in KS1 or KS2 Maths games and you will get a lot of very good links

Thanks very much - great advice as usual!