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The big transition in thinking comes when you realize that there is a difference between arithmetic and math. And that kids can absolute hate arithmetic, but f

• zozbot234 5y ago
  This doesn't change the fact that algebra is extremely unintuitive for a young kid who only knows arithmetic. Working on complex word problems - as was common in traditional math teaching, even as far back as ancient times - can help bridge that gap.
  • techdragon 5y ago
    It’s not hard to teach basics of algebra to small children. When you work with teaching analogies like “has two apples” all the time, it’s actually not that hard to get kids to understand that you can you can do math with “things” and that it doesn’t matter what the “things” are, so two apples and five oranges becomes 2a + 5b… I don’t expect a 9 year old to do complex algebra but the fact that you can do math with placeholders is definitely within their grasp.
    • zozbot234 5y ago
      > it’s actually not that hard to get kids to understand that you can you can do math with “things” and that it doesn’t matter what the “things” are, so two apples and five oranges becomes 2a + 5b… It's hard if you want to do it prior to 8th grade let alone 6th grade, and that isn't even the most challenging part of what Algebra involves; you might as well just teach them Dragonbox and hope they all grok it. The common approach of introducing algebraic thinking gradually via complex word problems has very much stood the test of time.