Based upon your expertise, when given a list of random single and double digit numbers,how many should a 6 1/2 year old boy be able to repeat back by memory? I have a bright, "busy" boy. I'm not sure if he is just bored or if he needs some extra help due to attention issues. Thank you!

Dear Lori,

I am not sure where this question is coming from? Is this coming from something in the RightStart manual? We really don't see a reason to do things that are random. Math is the science of patterns so if a child is asked to do something it will follow a pattern. We are a patterned people, thus we will remember more when it's in a patterned format.

I'm sorry I'm not really answering your question. I will ask Dr. Cotter what she thinks.

If a child truly does have an attention issue asking a response of random numbers will most likely be less of a response than a child who can hold to attention more than a child who is easily distracted. However, 6 1/2 is young and again, as stated above in RightStat we make math meaningful and build on a child's natural ability to visualize and also teach for understanding.

Please continue to ask questions and continue this discussion.

Thanks for posting your question.

Sincerely,
Rosine

Hi Rosine,

I'll give you a bit more of a background behind my question...

My son has a rare genetic movement disorder. Because of this he was evaluated by a team of teachers / specialists from the local school district. They found that he was testing above average to superior on all of their evaluations except for coordination, motor control, etc. (obviously due to his myoclonic dystonia). They recommended that he see a doctor for attention / hyperactivty issues (ADHD). There is no doubt that my son is a very "busy" boy and at times has difficulty concentrating, zoning out. Our local family doctor insists that he does not need medication, however...that he is just extremely bright and gets bored easily. On a recent trip to Mayo Clinic, though, our pediatric neurologist (for his movement disorder) suggested that he may benefit from medicine for ADHD.

He asked my son the following questions..."What is your right hand?" My son answered this correctly but couldn't say which hand of the doctor's was the right one.

The doctor asked him "What is 5 + 5?" My son answered this correctly. My son was unable to answer "What is 7 + 7." This did not disturb the doctor. (He is in Level B right now.)

The doctor asked him what he had for breakfast and lunch...he was able to remember this.

The doctor then listed up to 7 random single / double digit numbers twice and was wanting my son to repeat them. My son then said, "I don't see a pattern." : ) I explained that the doctor was just wanting him to repeat the numbers. The doctor repeated the numbers again. My son was only able to nervously/shyly say 2 or 3 of the numbers. It was then, that the doctor said he should be able to remember at least 4 numbers for his age of 6 1/2 years.

My son seems to have an amazing ability to remember "trivia" when he is interested in the topic but does have a difficult time with remembering things such as our phone number or address. I understand that you are not medical doctors and cannot give medical advice but I trust your experience in working with children...and knowing what a child should know when.

Thank you!

You are correct. We are not Dr.'s therefore I don't feel comfortable in commenting on a Dr's opinion. Not that you asked me too. Anyway, I do know that there are adults that can't even do what the Dr. asked your son to do and these people are both engineers and have done and are doing quite well. With that in mind I don't think and was told that that is really not a valid test at least not for age etc. Your child sounds like he is doing just fine in Level B. So, in regard to his math ability he is doing quite well. I find it very interesting and quite an appropriate response on his part when he said to that Dr. "I don't see the pattern." That is an excellent response and shows a high degree of understanding that math is the science of patterns.

I have children how are quite energetic. One of which at one time was labeled ADHD. We did quite a bit with diet as in removing all artificial dyes etc. I also had her tested for food allergies and kept her off some foods for 3yrs and then gradually introduced these foods back into her diet after 3 years. She's not labeled any more with ADHD. My one son who had no label at all is also quite effected by the foods he eats and will even say, I ate too much sugar or I ate some red dye Mom that's why I'm acting the way I do. I just mention this to you as food for thought. Maybe you already are extremely careful with your son's diet.

As stated I am not a medical person at all. I certainly do have an interest in nutrition and learning and how that effects children. Dr. Cotter does as well and her daughter Kathleen has also done a workshop on allergies and learning. There's so much information out there that the medical community is only beginning to notice.

I believe I've addressed more than you asked for. Please feel free to email me directly, call or post. I do feel more comfortable talking about this stuff than posting on a board where so many people read this information simply because this response comes more from a Mom's perspective and not a RS reps perspective.

Thanks for giving your child a RightStart in math.

Sincerely, Rosine

Thank you, Rosine, for your help. I appreciate it your opinion.

You're welcome Lori. Please do keep in touch and let us know how RightStart goes for you and your child. We here at RightStart are very interested in how RS serves children with any kind of special needs. And don't all of our children have some sort of special need? Sounds like you're doing a fine job.

Thanks for your questions.

Sincerely, Rosine