Curious about Math levels

[Larissa]

In light of the information that in Singapore they don't start level 1A until 7yo ... in which level have you placed your child? Do you wait until 7yo to begin 1A?
I am always analyzing and rethinking things, and when I read that, I got a little concerned. The last thing I want to do is get my children to a place where they are ahead of where they should be developmentally ... or frustrate them even.

I'd love to hear what others are thinking about this. In what ages and Singapore levels do you have your children placed? If your children are "ahead" according to the "in Singapore" plan, have you noticed that the higher up they go you start to lose them? If so, what do you or did you do? I am probably over thinking this ... but that's really nothing new for me. I know that I can always slow them down if necessary. I am just not sure how to anticipate this going.

[countrymom]

I did not learn about this information until not too long ago and we are well into 2A, so we are ahead for sure. I have figured that at some point we will need to back off and I already take extra time here and there to do more of the exercises Carrie gives. So far we are good and have had absolutely no problems, but I am thinking I will need to slow down eventually. Since my son is learning and understanding, I'll just keep moving forward at the scheduled pace until I need to slow down. I think the best thing to do would be to have your child take the placement test that Singapore provides and see where they fall. That should give you a good idea which book they are ready for.

[psreit]

My dd is weak in Math. She actually started in the Earlybird books last school year at age 7. Much of the first book contained things that she already knew. Because of her age, I was going to try to rush through the concepts she already knew, so that she could 'catch up'. I remember Julie encouraging me to do Carrie's activities anyway, to reinforce those skills with dd. I was using two guides because our Math had been ahead of the actual day we were doing. Since then our math day coincides, because I was having dd work in the Extra practice book that I purchased to go along with 1A and 1B. She will turn 9 when she finishes 1B. I'm not concerned about which book she is in. The important thing is to know that she is progressing and mastering the skills she is being taught now and not move her too fast that she gets frustrated or comes to a point where she can't move forward because something hasn't stuck. You shouldn't worry about what book is started at what age, because each child is different. I'm glad I didn't try to push Angie through Earlybird. She is moving along nicely, doing it according to the HOD plans. I know you are talking about a child being ahead of the recommended age, but there again, you need to just let them work on their level. If they are struggling with a certain concept, you may need to take some extra time to work on it, but don't worry about the level. Whether considered behind or ahead, each child should be placed where they fit and can continue to progress. HTH

[HollyS]

We were already using Singapore before we switched to HOD. One of my DC started at age 6.5 (and is now in 3a at age 9...so she'd be slightly "behind") and the other started at a young 5 (and is now in 1B at age 7). I like them to be able to read the directions when they start, so that's been my cue to begin. I'm sure it's not necessary and I could have read the directions for them, but it's worked nicely for us.

[my3sons]

The HOD guides make it easy to let math run at whatever pace best suits my dc. One of my dc is on a 'B' then 'A' plan each year, as this fits him best. This year, he is doing 5B/6A. My other ds is doing PHFHG, which has a math schedule for 3A/3B five days a week. We are only doing math 4 days a week, so he will not get through all of an 'A' and 'B' this year, though he will be close. This has worked well! We try to move through 2 semesters of plans within about a year of school in general. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Larissa]

It does help and has given me something to think about!

[Mommamo]

Our oldest is a bit ahead. She is in 3B, and will likely start 4A before the school year is out, and just turned 8 in September, so she'd be in 2nd grade in PS. I'm honestly not at all concerned at her being ahead. We just review where we need to, and it has worked out just fine so far.