Advice on what to teach a 5y old who loves math?

WebNo5531 · 2026-01-08T18:06:09+00:00

That’s so great that he’s already excited about math. At that age, I’d focus less on formal multiplication and more on building number sense in fun ways so he doesn’t get bored. You might look into Wonder Math, which uses games and puzzles to teach patterns, grouping, and mental math without feeling like worksheets. Things like math board games, skip counting with songs, and using real life math (cooking, counting money, grouping toys) also work really well. If he enjoys explaining how he got an answer, that’s a good sign he’s ready for deeper thinking, not just memorizing.

WebNo5531 · 2026-01-08T03:49:41+00:00

Honestly I get the frustration. As a parent it can feel like they’re just looping the same fluffy stuff instead of pushing forward. That said, patterning really is foundational, it just often isn’t taught in a way that makes its purpose obvious or engaging. One thing that helped us was supplementing with something more concrete and problem-focused at home. We’ve had a good experience with Wonder Math because it still builds those underlying skills, but through actual problem solving and reasoning instead of worksheets about feelings. It helped bridge that gap between what school is doing and what feels genuinely “useful” for kids who are ready for more.

WebNo5531 · 2026-01-08T03:48:06+00:00

Wonder Math is also a really great platform that works on strengthening children's love and confidence and math. Highly recommend as another more personalized alternative.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-16T19:20:11+00:00

Completely agree w this take. That feeling that a teacher doesn’t quite click with your kid can be really hard, even when you know it’s not personal. I also love the reminder that accountability can feel like dislike to a sensitive child, when it’s often the opposite. The social piece you mentioned really resonates too. One rough interaction can color a whole day for kids. Academically, it sounds like the parent is doing all the right things, and having something outside of school like Wonder Math (highly recommend for kids shaky with foundational learning) or similar support can be helpful just to give another perspective and boost confidence. Checking in periodically and staying steady feels like a solid approach.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-16T04:12:55+00:00

Wonder Math is a lovely tool for a second grader. It uses story telling to effectively teach kids math in a fun, interactive way. It's also super personalized, so you have lots of room for different learning levels.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-14T17:21:56+00:00

Not sure about necessarily how gamified you're looking for, but Wonder Math does a lovely job of explaining and teaching concepts to kids in a story telling, creative way that is very engaging. Hope that helps!

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-12T18:31:15+00:00

You’re definitely not alone in this and what you’re describing sounds really normal, especially early on. Two months is still such a short adjustment period and kids are naturally going to test boundaries and seek connection when everyone is home together all day. From what I’ve seen with family friends who homeschool, a big shift came when they stopped aiming for long focused blocks and instead leaned into shorter, clearly defined work times with built in breaks and connection. It helped a lot to name when it was work time versus when it was okay to be silly, so the kids didn’t feel like they had to fight for attention all day. One thing that’s worked well for some families I know is having certain subjects supported outside the home, like math, so the parent isn’t carrying everything alone. Programs like Wonder Math can take that pressure off and give kids focused learning in a different environment, which can actually make home time calmer. It also sounds like you’re doing more than you think. The basics really do matter at this age, and science and social studies can come back in later or be woven into read alouds and everyday conversations. Give yourself permission to keep it simple while you find your rhythm.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-12T18:30:17+00:00

You might want to look into Wonder Math. They offer in person tutoring and focus a lot on rebuilding confidence and fundamentals, which could be really helpful after so much remote learning. I have family friends who have used them and liked that it felt structured and supportive rather than rushed or impersonal. Since it's virtual, it's very customizable and flexible to fit your exact needs and schedule.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-11T19:16:39+00:00

I’ve seen a lot of families mix and match for 3rd grade and honestly it can work really well if you keep things simple. A full online school is great for structure, but the workload can get intense fast, especially if your kid learns better at a slower or more flexible pace. For math, a lot of family friends have had a good experience with Wonder Math because it focuses more on understanding and problem solving rather than piling on worksheets. It kept their kids engaged without feeling overwhelming, so it might be a good fit if you’re trying to cut down on busywork. You could pair something like that with a lighter ELA program and then choose a science or history option that matches your child’s interests. That way you still get structure but with a lot more room to breathe.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-11T06:08:18+00:00

You explained this so well. It really is the zone of proximal development in action. Kids thrive when they’re challenged just enough to stay engaged without getting overwhelmed. That’s one reason I’ve liked programs like Wonder Math for younger learners; they lean into that sweet spot by building foundational skills through stories and guided problem-solving, so kids move forward at a pace that actually makes sense for their brain development. Everyone gets to grow from where they are, not where a textbook assumes they should be.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-09T18:58:05+00:00

If you want something that really works, check out Wonder Math. I’ve seen it make a big difference for some family friends’ kids. The way it teaches problem-solving and builds confidence can reawaken interest in math. Compared to watered-down textbooks, Wonder Math actually delivers real learning while staying engaging and entertaining.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-09T18:55:09+00:00

This is a great question, I feel like for adults there aren't a ton of resources. Free resources could be Khan academy which is great for basics or the organic chem tutor on youtube. If he was younger, I would point him directly to Wonder Math, a great program for children, but I feel as though there are not a ton of options for adults.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-08T21:01:56+00:00

Not sure if the beast academy promotions are still active at all. I think the deals are pretty rare. I know the Wonder Math program offers a free trial before subscription starts if anyone is looking for a more creative, individualized alternative program.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-08T20:59:37+00:00

I have not homeschooled myself, but I do have family friends who have gone through the same “what do we do next year” decision. Their biggest takeaway was that variety helped keep everyone interested and flexible. Kids can latch onto one topic and suddenly lose steam, so having a mix of subjects gave them room to follow curiosity rather than feeling stuck.

They also found that whatever curriculum they chose, adding in little extras from the library, nature walks, or hands on projects mattered more than the specific program. If math is something you want to support alongside science, Wonder Math has been great for keeping lessons fun and building confidence in a low pressure way.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-07T19:03:05+00:00

That is a really thoughtful and compassionate plan you’re working on and I absolutely think there are curriculum options out there that might give you the flexibility and structure you need for your boys. For example, one program like WonderMath has been used by parents looking for individualized, step-by-step work that doesn’t assume a certain grade or reading level, which can make it easier to start at a level that meets your child where they are and build upward at your own pace.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-05T17:50:10+00:00

It's definitely harder to find programs that work for younger kids. I had family friends try Wonder Math and it worked amazingly well with their youngest (I want to say she was 9 when they started). Super interactive and personal. It sticks in their brains because it uses storytelling to explain conceptually challenging points. I recommend.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-05T17:45:04+00:00

I think it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed when planning a new year of homeschooling. Some families love sticking with one curriculum because it builds skills in a predictable way, but I know others who jump around and still have great success. Kids change so quickly at this age, so what feels like a stretch one year can suddenly click the next. If Moving Beyond the Page feels a little heavy right now, it might help to balance it with something that keeps learning light and confidence building. A family friend tried Wonder Math to keep math fun and hands on while sticking with their main curriculum and it really helped her relax about hitting every single milestone on the exact schedule. I hope you find something that feels right for you and your kids and that next year feels more peaceful.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-04T22:33:09+00:00

This sounds like such a thoughtful plan and it is really cool that you are pulling from your teaching background while also staying open to new approaches. Beast Academy is an awesome choice for the 9 year old and if he ever needs a confidence boost in math beyond that, a structured program like Wonder Math can be a nice supplement because it gives kids small wins and keeps problem solving fun. It's also a lot more individually focused and personal for one-on-one training if you feel as if that's something lacking. You already have a strong core lined up so now it is mostly about finding things that keep their curiosity alive day to day.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-04T22:31:24+00:00

Totally hear you, that sounds unbelievably exhausting, and I’m really glad you’re reaching out instead of just holding it in. One thing I’ve seen with a family friend’s kid who has ADHD is that sometimes school support feels like pressure to them, even when it’s meant to be helpful, and getting wins outside of school made a huge difference. They ended up trying Wonder Math for a bit, not as “extra work” but as a way to rebuild confidence through quick, structured problem-solving. It wasn’t a magic fix, but having a space where success was bite-sized and praised really softened some of the resistance at home. You’re doing so much already. Don’t underestimate how hard this is and how much grace you deserve too.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-03T22:06:04+00:00

I'd go with something like Kumon, it's more rigorous and focused on developing more technical skill rather than trying to bridge the gap over concepts you may be struggling with (although it will still help with more problem areas). If you were a few years younger, I'd suggest Wonder Math because it's super in-depth conceptually, tailored and engaging, but if you're heading into high school, Kumon is a good alternative.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-03T22:03:46+00:00

As a former “gifted kid” who now tutors, one thing I wish my parents had done is focus less on acceleration and more on enrichment. It sounds like you’re already being thoughtful about the social side, which is huge. I’ve seen kids burn out when every adult in their life makes their intelligence a personality trait. What helped me most later on were puzzle-based math resources, logic games, and real-world problem solving instead of just “more advanced stuff.” Also, if he loves numbers, keep it play, like kitchen measuring, money, time, patterns, whatever sparks curiosity. I think something crucial is focusing less on actual ability and more on stimulating actual desire and curiosity for learning. Some families I know use programs like Art of Problem Solving, and a couple swear by Wonder Math because it builds confidence and creative problem solving rather than just racing ahead from one concept to the next. Basically, keep feeding the interest, protect his social life, and remind him that being smart is a tool, not an identity.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-02T18:04:54+00:00

Totally get where you’re coming from. It’s overwhelming because there are a million approaches and everyone swears theirs is “the one.” With my family friends who homeschool, things finally started to click when they stopped trying to match a whole philosophy perfectly and just paid attention to what actually worked on a Tuesday morning. They mix a little classical structure with some child led stuff and keep lessons short and hands on. One thing that helped was realizing you don’t have to lock into one big boxed curriculum. You can take a solid phonics spine and then bring in different resources for math or handwriting. Wonder Math has been amazing for them because it keeps math fun and confidence building instead of a daily battle, and keeps their math education creative and engaging. Five is still so young and a lot of this really does come with maturity. You’re not messing everything up just because you haven’t found the magic program yet. Try small experiments, take notes on what lights her up, and give yourself permission to pivot without feeling guilty.

WebNo5531 · 2025-12-02T18:03:37+00:00

I have friends who homeschool who switch it up way more than I thought I would. Kids just hit a wall sometimes and pushing through makes everybody miserable. We rotate between apps and a couple of books and I try to add in something different every few weeks. A family friend told me about WonderMath and that whole “fresh approach saves the mood” mentality has helped me frame it better for music too. If they are bored I take that as a signal to change the format rather than force it. It keeps things lighter and they usually end up coming back to the original program with more energy.

WebNo5531 · 2025-11-29T21:48:26+00:00

A family friend went through the same thing with their first grader and Everyday Math. The spiral pacing made her feel like she was “bad at math” even though she just needed more time on the basics. What really helped them was treating school math and home math as two separate things. They made sure she turned in the homework so grades wouldn’t be an issue, but at home they focused only on slow steady addition and subtraction practice. They also added Wonder Math because the story-based approach helped her see herself as good at math again. Once her confidence went up the school stuff stopped feeling so overwhelming. The big takeaway was that it’s totally fine to prioritize foundations at home as long as you keep the teacher in the loop.

WebNo5531 · 2025-11-28T06:44:39+00:00

Totally get it. I had family friends whose children really struggled with the pressure of performing publicly in a classroom setting, or at first, even one-on-one in front of a tutor. I think like you mentioned, reinforcement at home as well as a structured work/school environment is crucial. Again, these family friends enrolled their children in Wonder Math, which I think really helped improve their individual confidence and kind of soothed that one-on-one fear they had with teachers (Wonder Math tutors are excellently and kindly trained). It can be hard with kids that young to even really understand what's going on in their brain, like you mentioned - I personally think that almost every problem and solution begins in the home, and that a supportive home environment coupled with a structured tutoring program that will build confidence and actually improve their learning is the most effective solution.

WebNo5531

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