Accuracy Over Speed in Calculation

~The foundation of true academic ability to build in the crucial 4th grade~

This time, I am organizing and presenting the content I discussed regarding a question I received on Voicy:
"Should calculation focus on speed first, or accuracy first?"
once again.

As parents, I am sure this is a theme you have thought about at least once. Watching your child do calculation drills.

・I feel like they are slower than their friends.
・They don't finish the test in time.
・They make many calculation errors.
・I wonder if they could be faster...

You might feel that way sometimes.

However, based on my 20 years of experience standing at the podium,
for calculation, "accuracy" comes before "speed."

Today, I will talk about the reasons for this and the support you can provide at home.

It is dangerous to seek speed too much

Children are naturally very earnest.
Therefore, when they are told,
"Faster!"
they try their very best.

However, what happens as a result?
They skip intermediate steps.
They force themselves to use mental math.
They stop checking their work.
And then, errors increase.

Errors erode confidence

Actually, what is scarier than the calculation errors themselves is
the child becoming convinced that "I am bad at math."

They actually understand it.
They know how to do it.
But the errors continue.

Then...
"I can't do it anyway"
"I'm bad at math"
becomes their mindset.

This is a huge waste.

Speed comes after accuracy

I always told my students this:
"It's okay to go slowly"
"First, let's get the right answer"
"Let's be able to explain why it turns out that way"
Then, something mysterious happens.

Children who can solve problems accurately will
in half a year,
in a year,
definitely become faster.

It's the same as a bicycle

When you think about it, it's obvious.
You can't ride a bicycle fast from the start.
First, you must not fall.
You must balance.
You must go straight.
Speed comes after that.

Calculation is the same.
First, be accurate.
After that, be fast.

The Fourth Grade Challenge

Fourth grade is especially important. I often
refer to it as

the 'decisive fourth grade'

.

This is because the material learned up to this point becomes the foundation for fifth grade and beyond.

Things Suddenly Get Harder in Fifth Grade

In fifth grade, topics such as
• decimal × decimal
• decimal ÷ decimal
• fractions
• ratios
are introduced. Many children stumble here.

However, in reality, rather than the fifth-grade material being difficult, the cause is often an insufficient foundation from fourth grade.

The Same Applies to Junior High School Math

Furthermore, many children who struggle with junior high school math

have issues with their elementary school calculation skills.

Math is a cumulative subject. If you have a foundation, you will grow. If your foundation is weak, it will be difficult.

That is why now is so important.

What You Can Do at Home

You don't need to do anything difficult. Start with the school workbook. Do this carefully.

That is all it takes.

Value 'Why does it work that way?'

Instead of just checking if the answer is correct,
try asking,

'How did you think about it?'

Please try asking this.

If they can explain it, they understand it. If they cannot explain it, it might still be vague.

Treating it like a game is also recommended

On days when you have time,
it's also fun to suddenly pose questions like these.

What's 8 times 7?

What's 63 divided by 9?

What's 12 times 6?

Children surprisingly enjoy this.
It also makes for good parent-child conversation.

Mo-chan's family also starts special training

While talking about that,
there has been a small change at Mo-chan's house recently too.

My son is in the 4th grade now.
It's truly a critical school year.
Recently, before going to bed,

Dad's Quiz

has started🔥

It's a problem if they're only good at talking (lol)

When they reach the 4th grade,
they gradually become more articulate.
They make excuses.
They talk back.
Their knowledge increases.

But,
it's meaningless
if it ends with just talk.

Study is action

Actually thinking.
Moving your hands.
Making mistakes.
Trying again.
This accumulation builds strength.

So, they decided to create a time to solve problems together as parent and child for a few minutes before bed.
(Actually, after breakfast would be better, but...)

A time that only exists now

Actually, I think this is
an incredibly precious time.

While they are in elementary school,
they will still study with their parents.
They will still sit next to you.
They will still ask questions.

Adolescence is just around the corner

But when they reach the fourth grade,
the entrance to adolescence comes into view.

In a few more years,
"Whatever,"
"I'm fine,"
"You're annoying,"
will increase (laughs).

That is precisely why now

There is a way to engage that is only possible now.
Solving problems is important, too.

But,
sitting next to them,
thinking together,
spending the same time together.

This is also a precious asset.

It's not just about academic ability

Surely, in a few years, they will forget the content of the problems.

But,
"I studied with Mom and Dad,"
that memory will remain.

That becomes the foundation for parent and child.

A supportive attitude

Children grow while being supported.
Don't just praise them when they get the right answer;
acknowledge their hard work.
Acknowledge their thinking.
Acknowledge their challenges.
That accumulation becomes self-efficacy.

Adults also keep learning

I am the same way.
Voicy.
YouTube.
Publishing books.
Community management. It is a series of new challenges.

Growing together with your child

There is no such thing as a perfect parent.
I make mistakes too.
Mo-chan makes mistakes too (laughs).

But,
growing together with your child.
I think that is enough.

Finally

For calculations, accuracy is more important than speed.
It's okay not to rush.

First, understand the material.

Solve it correctly.

Speed comes after that.

And fourth grade is an important time.
A time to build the foundation of academic ability.

A precious time to create moments between parent and child.

While cherishing this time that only exists now,

let's build it up little by little for the future😊
The bedtime dad problem.
The early morning mom problem.

Even today, a heated battle might be unfolding in some household somewhere🔥
While cheering on the children of the future,

let's keep moving forward one step at a time today as well.
Parenting hooray✋📚🌈✨