Kids need to have a deep understanding of basic math concepts and learn to play with them. Their knowledge of concepts should be tested through hard puzzles – problems that are tricky to think about and solve, but don’t go beyond the topics the child has already learned.
At this age, the challenge is how the brain grows. A curious, sharp mind – full of questions and ideas – is exactly what you want to support. Math is an excellent tool for developing that.
Math at this age should have minimal memorization. The focus should instead be on deep understanding, logic, games, and the joy of discovery. Math should feel like common sense and intuition, because that’s what it is. While speed training of basic facts has its place and can help sharpen the brain, it has to be balanced with deep, slow thinking for kids to fully grasp concepts. Discovery and learning how to deal with challenging problems is what students really need to know in preparation for the AI age, not memorization, which is a skill easily replaceable by AI.
In regular school settings, math may become trivial and boring. Ideally, the teacher will be flexible and allow for outside materials during class. If your child feels bored in class, it is always worth asking the teacher if it might be possible for them to do outside work or receive more challenging work in class. As one of my students put it, “I feel like my brain rots” when I do repetitive problem-solving at school. Please advocate for your child so this does not happen to them.
Also key at this stage is building frustration tolerance and grit through hard problems and puzzles. Elementary school is the perfect time to start this. This is a skill that will be important not only for math but also for the rest of their lives, and will help them adapt to a constantly changing world as AI becomes increasingly prevalent and powerful.
If the child enjoys it, math competitions can be added for goal setting, practice, and fun.
Key Areas for Elementary School Math Education:
Working with paper and pencil is incredibly important. Research shows that writing by hand:
Here are some of the studies that show the importance of writing by hand:
Summary of the goals:
In the age of AI, all routine and procedural tasks – like basic calculations or repetitive assignments – will be done by machines. What remains essential is the ability to think: to ask good questions, solve non-obvious problems, and approach new situations with creativity and logic. That’s exactly what this kind of math learning builds. The ability to persevere and adapt to face challenges is also even more important since the world could change in a lot of unexpected ways, and they will have to be able to face that.
Most schools don’t put enough emphasis on this. They still focus on rote skills that AI will easily outperform. Helping your child think deeply and flexibly is one of the most valuable things you can do for their future, not just for math but for all subjects and their future job..
1. Kumon
Kumon relies heavily on rote repetition and speed drills, focusing almost entirely on procedural fluency. While it may improve calculation speed and discipline, it does little to develop deep understanding, creative problem solving, or flexible thinking. It often trains children to perform without thinking, which can flatten curiosity and make math feel mechanical and joyless.
2. Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free access to a wide range of math topics, but the platform is primarily built around video explanations and procedural practice. The pacing is passive, and while it may help clarify a skill, it doesn’t promote exploration, questioning, or problem-solving depth. It can be useful as a reference tool for specific topics, but not as a core learning experience for growing a strong mathematical mind.
3. RSM (Russian School of Math)
RSM is stronger than most afterschool programs in terms of structure and mathematical rigor, but it still tends to prioritize procedural training, heavy homework loads, and a rigid curriculum over creativity and conceptual play. It may build strong test-takers, but often at the cost of joy, flexibility, and student-led discovery – key ingredients in real mathematical development.
4. IXL
IXL is a gamified drill platform with a heavy emphasis on getting the “right answer.” The design penalizes mistakes, which can create anxiety and discourage exploration. While it offers skill coverage, it lacks conceptual depth, offers little feedback beyond correctness, and does not promote problem-solving or creative thinking. It trains compliance, not insight.
If you’re looking for programs that build thinking, curiosity, and real problem-solving skills, here are stronger options:
Math Circles
Math Circles are small-group programs focused on deep, exploratory problem solving. They emphasize creative thinking over memorization and are often led by mathematicians. Most big cities have such programs. In the NYC area, excellent options include:
Beast Academy In-Person Classes
Beast Academy now offers in-person classes in some locations. These are taught by instructors trained in the curriculum and focus on deep reasoning, not shortcuts. If available in your area, they’re a strong choice.
Private Tutors
A one-on-one tutor can be very effective and help a motivated child zoom through the curriculum. Look for tutors who work with materials like Beast Academy, Olympiad-style problems, or math circle content, not just school worksheets. Gifted high schoolers with strong training and the right mindset can also be excellent tutors.
Math in elementary school should be focused on building deep understanding, challenging your child, and teaching them grit, perseverance, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. These skills go beyond just math, giving your child the toolkit necessary to succeed in all parts of life. While these principles have always been important, they are especially important to keep in mind as we enter the AI age, where skills like creativity and critical thinking will become even more important while repetitive and procedural tasks are quickly replaced. Encourage working with paper and pencil, spend time exploring concepts, initiate meaningful conversations about math, play a variety of board games, enjoy the fun of discovery and logic hidden in math, and in the world around us.
