How to help my Child with maths/number difficulties?

[Cailinrua]

I got such great advice here when despairing of how to help my 6 year old DS( ASD, speech disorder, learning difficulties) learn to read. After preserving with the Headsprout programme I am so delighted with the progress he is making. So now my attention has turned to helping him develop some number skills. He can count to20 & recognise these numbers but has no grasp of basic addition, more/less, time etc.

I was wondering is there anything like the Headsprout programme to develop maths skills. My DS is difficult to work with and motivate and Headsprout is the first time he is enjoying learning anything. We have loads of brilliant number apps on the iPad but it is a real struggle to get him to use them. We have lots of practical maths resources, games etc. but again it is a battle to use them with him. I would love to hear of any experiences of helping your child to make progress mathematically. Pig wish Headsprout did a maths version!!!!

Does he like to be physical? DD1 has LD and at her special school they've been doing 'kung fu maths'. She has really started to get to grips with addition. Basically, she makes the + signs and = signs with her arms.

The Primary Maths Builder app is excellent for that age. It is aligned with the National Curriculum and tracks progress against each skill and only asks 10 questions at a time with multiple choice answers.

Cal, my dream is to have a Maths Headsprout too and I have raised it with the developers but as Headsprout cost $10 000 000 to develop and as many years........
We use Numicon shapes a lot. The whole programme looks at first glance quite complex and there are a lot of parts but the key issue is different coloured shaped for numbers to 10. Thus a child has additional stimuli to support an abstract concept. In addition, it eliminates the mind numbing tedium of counting in ones that becomes so aversive (not least to the teacher) beyond 10. It's always me who feels like sliding under the table or breaking out for the door, never mind the kid! v

Numicon did for my kids what Headsprout did for their reading.
Have a look.
We now align Headsprout to the uselessly vague NC (gotta keep the powers that be hasppy) and combine it with Precision Teaching which really moves those kids on.

Get yourself a second hand set of shapes and go for it.
Also would recommend paying for some uidance from a Numicon terainer. I did to get started (surprisingly cheap). They are not specificallybehavioural in their approach but are withough knowing it. Love 'em!

star or anyone else, do you know if there is a version of primary maths builder or similar on android?

Dd3 is really struggling with some concepts now and despite me telling the school repeatedly it doesnt seem like they are going to do anything

Is there a numicon kit that correspnds to year 5/6?

We've got as far as kit 3 (year 3/4) but the scheme seems to stop there. I've been looking on the Numicon website and have got myself confused as I can't seem to see anything?

OP, I second numicon. DD is 6 as welll with Autism and s&l difficulties. It helps her to 'get' things. We are sldo doing Headsprout and Dd's reading is finally coming on.

Thanks zzzzz I will do some digging, Dd3 is much more motivated by on screen learning, she just sees it as playing.

Thanks for all the replies and the inspiring photos too! I'll be ordering Numicon tonight and downloading the app recommended. Great to get some advice from people who have actually tried these things.

We use readingeggs and their new mathseeds. The mathseeds starts with the basics (number 1, number 2, etc) but you do a little test to be placed within the lessons. It doesn't go as high in ability as readingeggs yet (they are gradually adding more lessons). I think you can do a free two-week trial (you certainly can for readingeggs) and the subscription is very cheap compared to most. It is web-based but can be used on an iPad.