P2 Math - General Discussion

[optimistforum]

Hello


Can anyone help, please. DS2 will be six next week, and finds it difficult to add and take away simple numbers. He is comfortable with the number line to hundred, but struggles when I ask him to add or takeaway one from a number ………… as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.

Regards
O

[dorisp]

optimistforum:

Hello


Can anyone help, please. DS2 will be six next week, and finds it difficult to add and take away simple numbers. He is comfortable with the number line to hundred, but struggles when I ask him to add or takeaway one from a number ………… as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.

You might want to consider Kumon. My DS learns his simple addition and substraction that way.

[SAHM_TAN]

optimistforum:

Hello


Can anyone help, please. DS2 will be six next week, and finds it difficult to add and take away simple numbers. He is comfortable with the number line to hundred, but struggles when I ask him to add or takeaway one from a number ………… as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.

Regards
O

Did you try using physical items to show him? Like if he likes cars, use his toy cars, for example use 1+1, place 1 car and the plus sign and 1 car, then ask him how many cars can he see, then works towards bigger numbers. Once he is ok with addition can go on to subtraction. For example use his fav biscuit. For example 5 biscuits, then ask him to eat one, then ask him how many left on the plate.....

[optimistforum]

SAHM_TAN:

optimistforum:

Hello


Can anyone help, please. DS2 will be six next week, and finds it difficult to add and take away simple numbers. He is comfortable with the number line to hundred, but struggles when I ask him to add or takeaway one from a number ………… as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.

Regards
O

Did you try using physical items to show him? Like if he likes cars, use his toy cars, for example use 1+1, place 1 car and the plus sign and 1 car, then ask him how many cars can he see, then works towards bigger numbers. Once he is ok with addition can go on to subtraction. For example use his fav biscuit. For example 5 biscuits, then ask him to eat one, then ask him how many left on the plate.....

Thank you SAHM_TAN. I will try this. I have undertaken a diagnostic with him, and I am really having to start from scratch.

[RRMummy]

optimistforum:

Hello


Can anyone help, please. DS2 will be six next week, and finds it difficult to add and take away simple numbers. He is comfortable with the number line to hundred, but struggles when I ask him to add or takeaway one from a number ………… as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.

Regards
O

Hi optimistforum,

sorry, don't get what you mean by \"as for adding/subtracting two is another matter.\"

How is he with addition and subtraction when using concrete objects?

I started my gals with concrete things first (eg using beads / blocks etc) to ensure that they have a concrete idea of the concept. Thereafter, I used drawings of pix like 7 apples plus/minus pix of 2 apples. Only when I was confident that they have grasp all these, did I move on the number lines and abstract questions like 7+2=____

Hope this helps..

[RRMummy]

SAHM_TAN:

Did you try using physical items to show him? Like if he likes cars, use his toy cars, for example use 1+1, place 1 car and the plus sign and 1 car, then ask him how many cars can he see, then works towards bigger numbers. Once he is ok with addition can go on to subtraction. For example use his fav biscuit. For example 5 biscuits, then ask him to eat one, then ask him how many left on the plate.....

oopps.. just saw your reply SAHM_TAN.

Haha.. I like the eat away biscuits and see how many left exercise! :boogie:

[SAHM_TAN]

RRMummy:

SAHM_TAN:

Did you try using physical items to show him? Like if he likes cars, use his toy cars, for example use 1+1, place 1 car and the plus sign and 1 car, then ask him how many cars can he see, then works towards bigger numbers. Once he is ok with addition can go on to subtraction. For example use his fav biscuit. For example 5 biscuits, then ask him to eat one, then ask him how many left on the plate.....

oopps.. just saw your reply SAHM_TAN.

Haha.. I like the eat away biscuits and see how many left exercise! :boogie:

:lol: Thanks. I find that when kids are able to relate maths with everyday life, they will be more interested in it.

It's true what your wrote, need to go from concrete to abstract. Kids at this age works better with 3D objects. It's how the brain works I guess. For example, I show them pics of tiger and lion, they will get confuse. But I bring them to the zoo, it's settled, no more confusion. Sorry :offtopic:

[RRMummy]

SAHM_TAN:

:lol: Thanks. I find that when kids are able to relate maths with everyday life, they will be more interested in it.

:hi5: So true!

[bboomer71]

Attended this briefing at my son’s sch. Teacher said that Maths understanding moves from concrete to pictorial to abstract. So if cannot understand abstract, try drawing pictures, if still cannot, count ice cream sticks! Hope this helps! Take care!

[optimistforum]

Hi everyone


Thanks for the advice. I have followed what you have all said and it works; though we still have a way to go. I did also kick myself for not thinking of something so obvious.

PS,I have just had a few books shipped here to the UK. DS2 (who we are talking about) is working through the EPH Step by Step Maths P1. It is a fantastic book; and one I would recommend.