What to do when a problem seems too difficult…or too easy
What to do when a problem seems too difficult…or too easy
It’s not easy to choose problems for your child. With some practice you will get better at it. Here are some ideas to consider for choosing a problem:
Start with word problems instead of just bare numbers. Word problems add context to the mathematics you are intending to address.
If you are unsure about what your child knows and can do, start with problems that have some action in them. That way your child can use a strategy that directly models the action in the problem. If your child breezes through the problem, either the problem type or the numbers are too easy for her. Change just one thing at a time, until you have a better understanding of what your child knows and can do. By the same token, if your child struggles with the problem, then either the numbers, the problem type, or even the context of the problem are too hard for her.
Use smaller numbers to start. Also, consider how the numbers could be decomposed or composed to solve the problem. If your child is not yet grouping by 10s, work with numbers that are less than 10. Or if your child is grouping by 5s, consider numbers that allow grouping by 5s more easily.
Resist the temptation to ask your child to solve a problem using your way. Your way might make sense to you, but not to your child. Allow yourself to be amazed by what your child can do. It’s a good idea to have on hand some manipulatives – objects like beans or marbles that your child can use to model the action of the problem. But if your child does not want to use them, do not force her to use them. Paper and pen would work just as well.
Before you give any problem to your child, try solving the problem yourself first in all the different ways you might think your child could solve the problem. That way you can be prepared for the “unexpected” and be ready to respond with a bit more confidence. Also you can make sure the numbers work in the way you have expected (e.g. easier to group by 5s, 10s, 3s, etc.).
