P2 Math - General Discussion

[DDS]

nms1:

DDS:

Hi all Daddies and Mummies. My DS will be starting pri 1 next year and am anxious about whether he can cope with the P1 math. Would like to seek the advice from all the experts here on recommendations of good enrichment courses that we could enrol him in order to prepare him for P1. In addition, what are some of the good assessment books/materials that you would recommend to provide my DS with a headstart before he enters P1 next year. All your comments and help are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for all you contributions.

P1 Maths is not too stressful so don't worry too much. Most of the term 1 & 2 seems to concentrate on addition & subtraction within 20 and using number bonds. I think the most important thing is to get your son comfortable with numbers. My daughter still uses her fingers to count or writes little pictures on a paper to do her addition & subtraction. I would focus on letting him do simple sums in his head rather than streams of assessment books.

Thanks for the advice nms1! My DS is learning addition & subtraction as well as number bonds in K2 now...just wondering how we could better equip him before he starts P1.

[dorisp]

Hi DDS, they teach number bonds in K2 now?

[DDS]

dorisp:

Hi DDS, they teach number bonds in K2 now?

Hi dorisp. Yes they do, at least in my son's kindy.

[dorisp]

DDS:

dorisp:

Hi DDS, they teach number bonds in K2 now?

Hi dorisp. Yes they do, at least in my son's kindy.

Oh that's good foundation for them. My DS now K1, don't know if the school will teach number bond in K2.... Maybe should find out fr those parents of K2 children...

Thanks!

[nikerocks]

my dd din learn number bonds…she only learn simple addition and subtraction…now waiting for pri 1…

[nms1]

Don’t worry too much about "teaching ahead" - they will teach number bonds in P1 so there really is no need to teach it to them in advance. The more you do this the more they will become reliant on knowing things in advance of the teacher covering it which is going to become more & more of a challenge to you as they get older.


Would you be able to teach them A level chemistry or maths or Chinese? If not, then you will be spending vast amounts of money on tutors to do it for you.

I believe that it’s up to us parents to stop this habit so that the teachers don’t depend on it.

[bigsnoopy]

DDS:

dorisp:

Hi DDS, they teach number bonds in K2 now?

Hi dorisp. Yes they do, at least in my son's kindy.

Mine started at K1..

[dorisp]

bigsnoopy:

Mine started at K1..

Wow to do number bond in K1 is very impressive. Do you teach you child at home or he/she learns from kinddy?

[baobei]

WCW:

may i know does abacus help in P1 maths :?

Abacus does help in getting the child to calculate faster. However, we need to reinforce the number bonding and the typical way of Maths calculation with child as child is expected to show the workings. It is kind of confusing for the child in the beginning but after a while, child get used to it and actually helps. Especially if you have a hyperactive child that could not sit still to do work, abacus help ensure child complete the test.

[baobei]

WCW:

thanks, baobei, for answering to my doubts.
DS is hyperactive, that's why not so sure is abacus suitable for him, i worried he cant sit down to finish. heard that there are abt 30 questions each day for abacus? i know it is good to practice but i also worried it will kill his interest in maths.

Yes approx. for homework each week. It kind of kills the child interest unless you motivate the child. Abacus learning claims that it helps the child to focus and concentrate. I feel that it is true only when answering questions within specific time, challenged and motivated, otherwise, child will be reluctant to go for the classes. It happens to mine initially, especially he is more of a linguisic person. Having said that, he loves to go to the classes after he feels good at it. This is the same for all when we get better at the things we do.