Mathematics - too early to start?

Question

My little boy has just turned 7. Is it to early to start teaching him algebra? What age is best to start teaching him calculus? My husband and I have a lot of fun teasing each other with mathematical jokes and puzzles. We'd like him to be able to join in. What's best?

Answer 1

I started with my brother when he was like 5 and he is now ten and I teach him things about complex analysis and algebraic fields. He can tell the difference between real numbers and complex numbers and how the real numbers are a subset of the complex numbers. He is actually fascinated when I tell him about partial differential equations and transformations (laplace, fourier, and hankel) even though he has now idea what I am talking about. When I told him about the Hankel transform (how it is its own inverse), I had to clarify it using the example of rotation by 180 degrees. If I rotate something by 180 degrees, I can rotate it again by another 180 degrees to go to the original position. So rotating one more time is the same as un-rotating it.

It all comes from interest. I told him some basic things in the beginning. He seemed interested and a few days later, he actually remembered everything I told him even though I never expected him to have actually paid attention to it. Ever since then, I slowly tell him about things and so far so good. He is interested and he remembers previous math taught to him.

As for your son, do not force anything on to him. First see if he is interested. If he is interested, then good. If not, then you can try to picque his interest. Tell him about prime numbers, like how prime numbers have no pattern, and we can't predict prime numbers, or even how not knowing a closed form formula for the prime numbers is actually vital for the public encryption key. When I told my brother that large prime numbers are actually kept in high secrecy by the US government and as soon as someone finds a formula for prime numbers, everything would come crashing down, there will be no email, etc..., he was dazed for days.

What I focus on, is just ideas and concepts. I have only taught him what these concepts represent. Number crunching, he will get to plenty in school but he will have an advantage when he gets there, the concepts will be crystal clear in his head. For number crunching, he has mastered powers, exponentials, including fractional powers and negative powers (including roots). As for concepts, he is far ahead. He knows that the derivative is the slope of the tangent line. He knows that the integral represents the area underneath the curve. He doesn't know how to find it but he knows what it is.

Just toggle your son's mind and see. Maybe he will be interested in one area in math as opposed to another. Maybe he is an "applied math major" as opposed to an "algebraist". So then you just tell him simple facts about physics and chemistry. Relativity theory is another thing which kids find very interesting because it is definitely counter-intuitive. Time is the fourth dimension. The faster you go, time slows down and you become more massive. Speed of light is the barrier and nothing massive can go faster than the speed of light.

Another thing would be to teach him how to use something like Mathematica. I encourage my brother to use it for school and he can just sit and play with it for hours. He can explore different graphs and so on.

I would also recommend not focusing on math only (like someone mentioned before me). Things such as English, conversational skills, spelling, grammer, syntax, and public speaking are just as important. I always correct his English ("ain't" is my pet peeve) and I force him to use index cards whenever he has to present something in his class.

I have seen far too many people to go against this. I know some of the most brilliant people but they don't know what a "brick" is. I have had professors who knew what they were talking about but they couldn't teach even if their life depended on it. They are just horrible public speakers. They would speak too loud, not loud enough, horrible horrible hand writing, completely illegible, not even in a straight line. I have had professors who don't even face the class.

Fine tune your son. Now is the perfect time to do it. He can be molded easily before his mind becomes rigid. Teach him nice, clean, cursive hand writing. Teach him plenty of time tables (up to 12 at least). Teach him to stay away from the calculator and depending on it. Incite mental calculation. And when you do teach him something advanced enough, give simple, nice, and easy examples. Another thing I make sure my brother knows, is proper notation for math. He knows how to read it and say it properly so that if there is a problem, he can tell me exactly what it is. Sometimes, I make him read from my math book outloud, like an equation or a theorem.

He will thank you one day for it. It will definitely boost his confidence, personal satisfaction, and self-respect when he realizes that he knows a lot more than his peers in class or that his parents cared enough about him to teach him something with which 99% of the world has trouble with and despises.

Answer 2

It won't be fun for him if you force it on him. I'd say let him decide when he wants to learn it. It sounds like he already has an advantage in math over most other kids, so I wouldn't worry about that. I started learning algebra when I was 10, and calculus when I was 14, which is younger than most kids start learning it. He'll be able to do mathematical jokes and puzzles with you when he's 20, you don't need to rush it.

Answer 3

7 isn't too young to start algebraic concepts. .

If I have 3 apples and I want 7 apples, how many more do I need is 3 + y = 7. Algebra.

You can teach the thinking process at any age. Just don't push it and make it fun. There is never an age too young to teach anything as long as you keep it age- appropriate, don't expect anything from them, and make it fun

Answer 4

I would check his actual interest in the subject...two super smart mathematicians may not have bred a math whiz. In fact you are more likely to have created an artist who will be very very bored with your little math games. Once you get past the age where "cuz 7 ate 9" or "une deux trois cat sank" are funny silly punchlines - math "jokes" are truly lame and unappreciated by non math whizes. That said..it isn't too early to teach the boy advanced math if he appreciates it.

Answer 5

There is no specific age. It's what he is able to understand and do himself. Only you can judge that, not us, as we don't know your child. I know my almost 8 year old could understand some very basic algebra if it was explained to him, but he is in gifted classes. Does you son understand basic addition and subtraction yet? Does he understand multiplication and division yet? If he already knows the basics of math, then it won't hurt to try it. If he isn't interested or gets too frustrated because it's too hard, then he isn't ready to learn it. Remember he needs to have a solid foundation in the basics first.

Answer 6

if your boy enjoys that too then there should be NO problem but if not don't force him just tach him the easy way for a 7 yr old to learn little by little. Again like I say if he is a smart kid and like to be teach then go ahead he will be more advance than his class but it will make him feel good too!!! GOOD LUCk!!!!!

Answer 7

I'd start with basic arithmatic first, then go from there...it all depends on your son's understanding of it. Once he has an understanding of that, then you can move on to hugher math. Don't expect too much too soon, though, or you may turn him away from it out of frustration (on his part). Remember, he's still only 7.

Answer 8

study in ur room all day

Answer 9

I would say yes too early. My psychology professor said that 7th grade was too early for algebra. However basic algebra i see him doing ok, but u know him better. Like is he willing to learn and pacient.

Answer 10

if he is doing well in mathematics at school and understands very well. then u might start challenging him on higher math levels, dont start on alegebra if he doesnt even know basic long division, percentages, ect. first make sure hes proficient in those. then you start on ur little prodigy but please dont overdo it. he is still a child and should be having fun and doing things that kids do, not sitting at home learning math every evening and weekend.