Programming and math both depend on mastering a language, while much simpler than natural languages, that is both rigid and abstract, at least for beginners. Wh

Programming and math both depend on mastering a language, while much simpler than natural languages, that is both rigid and abstract, at least for beginners. While repetition leading to pattern recognition and comprehension works for everyone acquiring a mother tongue, I am troubled by the de-emphasis of the need of rote learning (that is, work) at the elementary school level. In my own case we did extra exercises (adaptitve q&a a couple of times a day) to make sure our younger one actually master multiplication and division. I remember being worried how kids without additional attention at home would fare.