My sons are 4.5. I had originally planned not to do any formal homeschooling until they were close to 7. We learn, sure, but in life and exploring instead of formal instruction. Mostly this is because I don't want to burn them out and I want to develop their imaginations and play skills and sense of wonder right now.

But I was planning to do RightStart with them when we're ready and I'm wondering if it is ok to wait that long?

One kiddo counts to 60 unassisted and counts objects to that point as well but no concept of addition or subtraction. We didn't teach him (we answer questions of course) but he kind of likes that stuff I guess. He taught himself the days of the week and maps and some concepts of telling time too. So his mind just works that way.

His twin can count objects to 10. That's it. He doesn't have the mind his brother has for that stuff. He has very poor attention even for games or puzzles so I feel he's just not ready for rightstart at this age, right?

My inclination is that they aren't ready for formal instruction. I'm just concerned that guy number one is learning things on his own in a way that will get in the way of RightStart in a few years.

Thoughts?
Rachel

Hello Rachel,

You have raised excellent questions.

My guideline is if they are showing math readiness then it is time to teach them. What if they are younger than you wanted to teach them, then I suggest guiding them more and not doing math as formally.

For instance, by the time I had learned this concept my third child was 4 ½, and I thought that I would just wait until she was around 6 to introduce math concepts formally. Then one day she came up to me and said, “ I can count backwards from 10”, and I replied, “No you can’t, I haven’t even taught you to count forward to 10” and then she proceeded to count backwards.

Then she came up to me soon after announcing she could add 100+100. And she did! That is when I knew my dream of holding off teaching was shattered. So I submitted to her best interest, and started math more formally, but I knew to go slow and to use the curriculum as a guiding tool not a full blown math course. I took tiny steps in each lesson and reviewed regularly. We just did math 10 days a months for about 15 min a day. Just enough to keep her mind moving in the correct direction and not learning bad math habits. Then at age six she begged to do 15 days of math each month, like her brothers, and she has been able to work that pace, but like I said, I take my time, and we play lots of games.

The trick is we have to do what is best for each child. If we hold one back, or drag one along, for the sake of the other, or the sake of an idea, then we become no better than institutional schools.

So my though is do what is best for each one. It sounds like one is ready to start and the other one is not as ready. If having one start and the other one not start sounds like it will not work, then do the Level A a couple of days a week focusing on one lesson and doing the games for shorter periods for the younger one. In other words, do the level but slowly, as the compromise.

Please let me know if you have any more questions. You can email me directly at Carissa@alabacus.com .

Thank you for giving your child a RightStart in Math,

Carissa
RightStart™ Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc.

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