Description Times have changed a great deal, and math education is no exception. The math our children are learning today isn't the multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank math we grew up with, where all that mattered was finding the right answer. Today's math education places more importance on process than on the final answer. Children are expected to look at problems from multiple angles, solve them in various ways, and communicate using mathematical terms and logic. Textbooks, teaching methods, and assessment approaches are all changing to reflect this. That means our own thinking needs to change too. Let go of the way you were taught, keep listening closely to how education is evolving moment by moment, and think carefully about what approach will work best. _From p.6–7, 'Prologue: Helping with Mom's Math' Even if you truly don't have the time and end up sending your child to a private academy, I firmly believe you should still know the at-home math methods in this book. There are always gaps that academies or preschools simply cannot fill, and only a parent can fill them. When I consult with parents, I often say, 'Your child finds this part a bit difficult, so please practice this activity at home to this extent.' Some parents brush this off, thinking, 'They probably already covered this at the academy—do we really need to do it again at home? It's a hassle. If they're not good at it, the academy will just have them do it again.' Other parents, however, diligently follow my feedback and work through the extra practice with their child at home. After just a year, the gap between these two children becomes strikingly large. _From p.31, 'At-Home Math Where Parent and Child Grow Together' For children to enjoy math, to genuinely enjoy the learning process itself, and to think about problems in diverse ways, they need plenty of hands-on, sensory experiences. To make sure there are no gaps in your child's math foundation, it's important to make the most of this crucial period. You shouldn't simply let your child play all the time, saying, 'Why study so early? This is a time for play.' But you also shouldn't dismiss the importance of play by saying, 'There's no time to play—get studying!' Parents of young children sometimes say things like, 'We play with math,' or 'We do math while playing.' It's worth thinking carefully about what these phrases really mean. Playing with math means engaging in activities that are mathematically meaningful—not simply playing with a math tool. For example, if you buy building blocks meant as a math manipulative but only use them for pretend play, that isn't truly 'mathematical play.' _From p.42, 'Wouldn't It Be Wonderful If Your Young Child Learned Math Through Seeing and Touching' 'When is this over?' 'How much more do we have to do?' 'Again?' Some children suddenly say things like this during a lesson, seemingly for no reason. It might seem strange, but this is actually a completely natural reaction. So when your child responds this way, don't assume something is wrong with them—first, examine your own approach as the one teaching them. Reflect on the situation: 'Ah, maybe my method wasn't quite right,' or 'Maybe this is a bit too difficult for my child,' or 'Maybe my child didn't understand what I said.' Carefully identify why your child is losing interest, and offer a solution suited to the moment. Isn't this exactly the kind of thing a parent—who knows their child better than anyone—can do best? _From p.57–58, 'Four Math Goals for Your Child' A guiding question refers to 'a type of question that helps a child grasp a concept or find an answer through their own thinking.' In other words, it's not a question that simply demands an answer, but a special kind of question that supports the process of discovering the answer. The key point in this definition is 'the child, on their own.' The role of a guiding question is to give the child just a small hint—through words or actions—so that after thinking deeply, the child ultimately arrives at understanding on their own. This is a core skill in at-home early math education. _From p.63, 'The Core Skill of At-Home Early Math Education' Magnetic building blocks are recommended for children just starting out with block-building activities. This is because children whose fine motor skills aren't yet developed tend to easily knock over wooden blocks while stacking them...