I have a 7 year old who is racing ahead with Maths, how would you keep him engaged?

[Aislyn]

My year 2 boy is currently working at a year 4 level. He really enjoys maths and is constantly asking me for maths problems at home to solve. We have been using Doodle maths app as well, and he has tested at a year 4 level (he has understanding well into the year 4 curriculum).

We will continue to use doodle at home, as well as arithmetic which he genuinely loves, but I am wondering how else to ensure he stays challenged and engaged. He is very distractible, so it is possible that his ability is not fully recognised at school.

He goes to a state primary. Would you recommend discussing with the teacher? Any other resources that you would recommend at home?

My DDs very bright mathsy friend (Trinity Cambridge for maths) did lots of music from around age 5/6. Lots of maths extension work at school too within the curriculum. If a maths teacher can help with this, it’s great. This DD never went off maths but had a varied childhood with many interests followed. She was still great at maths though! Dc don’t have to be one trick ponies to keel their maths going.

This is true. I think it's about balance but I get the impression that's what op is aiming for - enough stretch in maths to scratch that itch (op, if you can, a tutor may work well) and then a mix of other skills and hobbies

My maths loving son also loves all things physics (he's planning to do maths, further maths, physics and chemistry at A level) and also enjoys chess, strategy games, sailing, rock climbing, reading books (novels and books about physics and maths), history documentaries, flying (he's had a few lessons now), skiing and football. Getting him a tutor for extra fun doing harder /extension maths didn't mean he didn't have a whole heap of other hobbies and interests. I did often find him doing maths for fun if left to his own devices but he has plenty of other things he enjoys

My other maths loving son really loves engineering too, he's always building something out of Lego or Meccano or wood. He loved the extra maths tutor at primary but again is not a one dimensional person and he plays county level hockey and in two orchestras

And my third maths loving child also enjoyed a maths tutor for extra stretch at primary and her other interests are dance and singing and Lego and horse riding

Wanting to give your child the stretch they long for in maths isn't about hot housing them or narrowly defining them, it's just about meeting their needs and wishes. DH and I both loved maths and were both moved up a year at school but still didn't get enough stretch, so we were bored, so we knew our children would enjoy the opportunity to get extra stretch we

Thank you for all the replies, it's been really interesting reading.

He is a bright cookie with rounded interests including swimming and football. I am very proud of him.

I am confident he is working over 2 years ahead due to testing that we have done at home. (He loves maths at home and has done over 5000 questions on Doodle maths!)

I will ask for a meeting with his teacher to discuss how he is getting on in school and if it is worth pursuing an ADHD diagnosis. We have private medical insurance so could get a diagnosis and medication quickly if required, but not sure that currently it is the right path.

@Papersnowflakes I think many dc benefit from depth within a topic, not just more maths. Lots of hobbies keeps bright dc occupied and I believe in doing that. Not that my dc were good at maths but they had a great appetite for learning. DD1 had 12 extra curricular activities at the beginning of y11. Her head of house suggested a reduction. Dd reduced to 10! Doing a lot makes some people tick and she’s not changed now she’s an adult.