Maths for little ones: CMaths

Little Missy has been going to a Semas Maths (CMaths) class each week from the beginning of the year. It is Japanese maths, and they start them very early. It is very inspiring to see the little ones doing maths (with an abacus, but also in their heads) and doing it with a great speed as well!

Little Miss was a bit apprehensive going to the yearly championships. We had to motivate a little bit lot. We still owe her a rhyme book...

Dad with a little bit of inspiration

Little Missy did very well in the end! (According to two very relieved parents who thought she would have a melt-down or refuse to sit down and do the sums.)

They had to work through two exam papers. (TWO papers:  One of six minutes with an abacus, and one of two minutes without an abacus. There were a lot of children finishing even before the time! Totally amazing!!)

We were just impressed with the fact that Little Miss tried and did her best!

She had a bit of a melt-down later when she was expecting a trophy. We had to explain that she actually had to finish her papers, and that you really have to work hard to get that trophy.
But they all got a medal for taking part!

Hopefully it will help next year in Grade One to give her a bit of an edge...

She's got all the answers

These are some of the examples of the daily discussions in our house.

The 5-year old knows everything!

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Little Missy: No, we don't have to do this page for the maths exercises!
Yes, this page is marked for homework.
No, the teacher said we should wait until class! (ON MELTDOWN LEVEL!)

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When is the party?
In three sleeps time.
No, only two sleeps
No, it is three sleeps. Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
No, only two sleeps. OKAY, MOM, OKAY!

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Mom, how old is the boy?
He is 5!
No, he is 6.
He is 5!
HE IS 6!

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Little Missy: This must be right!
No, it's not!
The teacher doesn't care!
Of course the teacher cares!

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While watching a movie:
Little Missy: They are busy shooting up the moon! Why?
No, they are shooting the spaceship.
No Mom, they are shooting holes in the moon,
The spaceship is in front of the moon. They are shooting at the spaceship.
No, why are they shooting holes in the moon?

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Little Missy counts to 50, but skips the 40s.
You skipped the 40s.
Little Missy: My teacher learns us to skip one.
You can't skip one.
Yes, we can!