FAO Factor

[sherrardk]

Hi Factor, got a maths related question if you be kind enough to answer it.

[sherrardk]

Would be ^ (flipping iPad)

[factor-fiction]

Hello- yes I've just logged back on. Is it already on or are you gong to ask it now? I've just had a glass of red wine so don't make it too complicated

[sherrardk]

Pretty easy. Been to parents evening tonight and they told me that thing 2 (who is 4 1/2 years old) is fabulous with numbers. Whilst he has speech problems, he counts to one hundred and can order things to 20. They have started giving him simple sums to do, etc. What could I do to encourage his maths ability (if I should be doing anything at all). Thank you.

[sunny-dave]

"if you add three desktops to four boxtops how many woodentops do you have?"

[sunny-dave]

Sorry Kizzy - ignore me being stupid ...

[sherrardk]

No probs SD, I feel your pain.

[grasscarp]

Sherradk, not sure if you want other input, and I have had more glasses of red wine than factor, I would do things to help with things speech and be happy that his maths is doing well.

[sherrardk]

Hi grass, his speech is doing brilliantly and he is coming on in the leaps and bounds (it's still pants for his age but brilliant for him). He loves maths stuff and actually enjoys it. Didn't know if I should nurture this (wouldn't consider it if he didn't actually enjoy it).

[factor-fiction]

Okay. Well my experience is only in secondary schools but as you may know there are many secondary students who struggle to grasp simple number patterns and have no idea how to do simple subtraction, multiplication and especially division, so I may have some ideas.
I'll continue in a minute but I'll stop as I've seen you have posted while I am typing so I'll read that

[grasscarp]

I just wanted to add that my grandson seemed so behind with speech to the extent that my daughter was having to learn some signing. All of a sudden (3 years and a bit) he is chatting away. It is amazing. From almost nothing to sentences.

[sherrardk]

Hi Grass, he has been having speech therapy since he was 2 1/2 - he has a number of issues, including missing the end, beginning or middle off words (or a combination). When he started school his speech was at 2 1/2 year old level but it is vastly improved to what it was.

[factor-fiction]

The first thing I would say is to give him puzzle type questions (which seem more fun ) rather than pages of sums (which may seem like a punishment). I'll think of some resources such as number based 'magic tricks'.
Simple counting games are good to- but get him to count in 10s or 20s, then try 5s then 2s.
Play games like snakes and ladders, and perhaps even monopoly,
There are some sites that will help such as mymaths and if you want to try worksheets (though I think it may be too much as this stage) I can suggest some.

[factor-fiction]

Too not to!

[sherrardk]

Thank you for your help factor, now if you could just sort out thing 1's wildness ...

[grasscarp]

Glad to hear it Sherrardk. I hope it all goes well for him.

[Flyhalf]

Play games like snakes and ladders, where the distance moved depends on the random numbers thrown up by the die or dice.

[factor-fiction]

This site is good but is more for older primary school children. It includes a Maths Who Wants to be a Millionaire game
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html

[factor-fiction]

Does he like cricket or football? When I was that age I started playing an OWZAT cricket game with a roller or dice and used to spend all day playing England v Australia and adding up scores. And I used to make up football leagues with scores being determined by a dice, and I'd keep points tallies of all the teams.
Darts is probably best though- get a safety dartboard

[sherrardk]

Thank you all for your suggestions - had a bit of brain freeze and couldn't think of any fun things to do with him.

[Ann]

To keep his mind alert why not play the memory tray game. Arange 20 objects that are familiar to him (toys etc) on a big tray, tell him to look at them and remember them (and count them if you like) for a few minutes. Then cover over with cloth and ask him to tell you as many as he can remember, that will keep his mind sharp. You could also take a couple away for a different game and see if he can spot which two are missing.