Here's my 6-year-old daughter doing a lesson in a personalized math app I created for her. Every day she does 5 math lessons matched at her level. When we started a couple months ago she was struggling with +2 addition and hated math. Now she's doing up to +7... and +8 and doing great. 💕show more

Here's my philosophy/approach for teaching math to my kids. I. The Problem with Current Math Curricula 1. Failing to Support All Students In most math programs, some kids grasp the basic skills quickly and do well, while others struggle and fall behind. The material often moves too fast and doesn't provide enough repetition for those who need it. There's also a lack of "sweet spot" learning, where the material is matched to the child's current level. As a result, many kids end up struggling with concepts that are too hard for them. 2. The Consequences of a Weak Foundation Math is a subject where new skills and knowledge build upon what you've previously learned. If you don't have a good foundation, everything that comes later will be more difficult. Kids who fall behind in math often feel frustrated and like they're not good at the subject. This feeling can persist for years as math continues to get harder. Falling behind in math can also affect a child's self-esteem, especially when they compare themselves to others in the classroom. II. The Solution 1. Focusing on the Basics The core of math skills comes down to addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division. If you can master these basics, you'll be able to layer on more advanced skills later on. For example, you should be able to answer 7+8, 9+7, or 11+13 within a second or two for addition. For multiplication, you should know 7x8, 9x9, 6x7, and 11x12 just as quickly. These basic skills should become second nature, so you don't even have to think about them. 2. Personalized Learning at the Right Level To help kids succeed, we need to match them with material that's appropriate for their current skill level. If a child is struggling with a problem like 4+8, we should focus on that level and even slightly below it. We can provide a series of equations and problems around the child's level and gradually increase the difficulty as they master and become familiar with the previous level. 3. Progressive Levels and Competency-Based Advancement An effective math system should have numerous progressive levels, with students tackling one level at a time. Before allowing a student to move on to the next level, their competency should be evaluated to ensure they're ready. This approach ensures that students have a solid grasp of the material before moving on to more challenging concepts. 4. The Role of Daily, Repetitive Practice The brain learns best with daily, repetitive practice. Just 10-20 minutes of practice each day, focusing on equations and problems at the child's level, can make a big difference. Consistent practice strengthens neural pathways and prepares the child for the next level of difficulty. The more they practice, the more automatic these skills become. Summary Math education should focus on developing a strong foundation in basic math skills. It should emphasize repetition and quick recall, aiming for students to answer basic problems within seconds. The material should be designed to be challenging but within the child's "sweet spot," just slightly above their current level. Content should be comprehensible and digestible, encouraging daily practice for a minimum of 10 minutes per day. This will allow the student to continuously building skills one level at a time, creating a robust foundation in basic math skills.

Not enough confetti and fireworks… (personal preference)

Haha, my son wants more in-app rewards and prizes. Got to get working on that. 🎊

Dave pls let us know when you are opening up that secret language app on the App Store.

Very cool! Is it based on GPT API calls or completely home grown? Either way it's obviously working.

Try simplypiano

My kids love SimplyPiano. Great app. They've learned a ton of piano in just 5 months.

Outstanding, Dave! This approach will remove unnecessary obstacles and blaze shorter paths to competency for so many kids. The whole world will be better for it.

Awesome. Any apps for reading you could suggest? My kid is struggling a bit.

How have you differentiated your app from Khan Academy? A while back it seemed like Khan Academy was pretty good at making sure you understood the math well before moving on.