I need pointers on how to assist my son with maths.

[stressedoutmama]

I have been teaching my son to read for the past 2 years and he has become quite a good reader. He is a bright kid. However, I have now realised that his maths is pretty shoddy and I am feeling really guilty. I was of the opinion that the school would sort him out and I am not very good at maths myself.

He is 6 and goes to an international school as we do not live in the UK. They do not seem to be covering the basics very well and at 6 (year 2, age group 5-6 in the year) he can count up to 100 but will get stuck a lot of the time, cannot write numbers past 15 and writes many of the number backwards. He cannot add up or subtract numbers over 10 e.g. he can only add up to or subtract down from 10. I went to the school and observed many of the kids being mathematics geniuses and have had tutoring from about 2 years old - no joke! and now my son is asking me why he is not as clever as his friend(s).

I of course do not want to get him a tutor at this age, that is just ridiculous. However, I do have the time and he does have the motivation to do some maths at home. Problem is - where do I start? Shall I start at the beginning getting him to write down numbers properly and count? Then move on to addition and subtraction? I haven't a clue. I really feel he does not know the basics well.

Any advice as to where to start and some resources to help us along?

Stressed out mama and feeling the pressure from TigerMoms at school.

Just as a disclaimer, parents shouldn't feel they have to be the teacher and it is worth taking this up with the school. However, here are some ideas if you wanted to do stuff at home, certainly not suggesting you should do it all.

Count things! Randomly say to him 'hey, lets count from 90' and practise going over 100. You say the numbers with him so when he gets stuck you just keep going. After a few times of this he will pick them up and start counting over 100. It just needs constant practise (for some children I have know children who count differently from day to day!)

Same with the numbers, get him to write down phone numbers, dates, recipes when youre making buns etc etc. If he does it wrong just correct him or tell him what to write. Keep practising. Perhaps you could have flash cards and every time he writes a number correctly he puts that number card in a special box.

Addition and subtraction is more tricky if hes finding this difficult as he needs teaching the concepts whereas the other two are more rote learning. Does use number lines? Or doing it physically, again while cooking maybe you could try counting strawberries, taking some away and counting again to reinforce the idea that you can do addition and subtraction over 10.

Good luck

buy this maths Tis fab, is really about how maths is taught differently these days but also has loads of great ideas for maths at home....

Thanks for those tips and for the book recommendation. I will definitely follow up on those.

Wellthen, unfortunately my teacher and headmistress do not like to hear any negative feedback (however small) about any aspect of the school. Believe me, I have tried and won't bother again. My other friends at the school were even told "if you don't like it then you can go somewhere else". I am afraid that I just have to put up with it until we return (next year). In the meantime I will get Carol Vorderman (and your tips) to help me out ;)

My DS had trouble with maths at the same age and my Dad reminded me that when I was that age we started to learn card games - just simple ones. Cards is a great tool for learning because first and foremost it's a game with Mum (or anyone) and the numbers are secondary and incidental. You don't realise what and how fast you are learning that two fives make ten - you just know you need another five to win ! Also, they have the spots to count and the number (digit) to relate to. Take them anywhere, make up your own games - top stuff.

An abacus is also good fun and you can do truly amazing things with that simple bit of kit.

And if the school don't like to be critisised then turn it on it's head and ask for their advice "what can I do to help support you" is always a disarming question no matter how satirical it's actual intent...

Mama, its not uncommon for dcs to still be getting numbers back to front at his age & the other things you want him to do are also things they are usually still consolidating in ks1 (yr 1&2).

Have you tried using a number line & 100 square with him? They are very useful & used widely in schools. Start with a numberline (up to 20) or just use a 30 centimetre ruler, it will help him to learn to count on (ie start from 1 (higher) number & then add the other). And also take away & find the difference between. Hundred square work in a similar way but with bigger numbers (they usually are ready for this in yr2). The focus at our school is all about number bonds (eg knowing which numbers add up to 10, then 20 without thinking).

Whatever you do don't present him with a sum like the ones we're used to;

37

• 29

They don't do sums like this until they're yr 5 now a days. They don't use the same language either (so for this sum you wouldn't borrow 10 from the 30 etc). So you probably are best getting hold of a book with modern teaching methods otherwise you're very likely to confuse him.

And 'sums' only refers to addition - not any other calculation.

We have the book that blackduck suggested, I've found it useful. It's brought me up to date with modern teaching methods.

Oh thanks Feenie I didn't know that one!

can he do "and one more is" and one less is? count out food (grapes/raisins/sweeties etc) start with ten, and add one more and find out how many. do take aways from 20, he can eat the ones he takes away!

play dice games with 2 dice. he has to add first then count the number.

Maths Wizz is good.

Hi

I've just had this very issue brought to my attention by their teacher on behalf of my own child. The school has recommended the Power of 2 (I got it from Amazon) and having read the book I can now see the wood for the trees. It's a very simple programme which an adult does with the child. Fingers crossed but I will try to keep you posted. Good luck with your own child.