The hardest part of Algebra is the word problems. If a child can translate the word problem into a solvable set of equations, then they should be fine. This does require verbal abstract reasoning which is a different skill from manipulating symbols.
Yes, good point.
DS had a harder time with the word problems than the manipulations last year. This year...wow, what a difference. Last year I had to help him a lot. So far this year, the pattern is that I give him a quick explanation of one word problem and he does the rest on his own. So something definitely sank in at age 9.
Val
