Thanks for all of the insights and the stories of younger kids having no difficulty with algebra. I used to play with my DS with the refrigerator number magnets and make the numbers jump back and forth on either side of the equals sign (we called it "making the numbers do tricks"), showing how they would change and he thought it was hilarious at age 2-3. At 5 he was very comfortable with concept of solving for x in simple equations (x + 2x or x -4 = 5 type things, although we tended to present in word problems around the dinner table) and I just don't see what is so different or difficult about algebra that it would be verboten until he is older.
kimck, did you use the must know Singapore math word problems. I really like them and the fact they are generally compound questions.
He has done Fred decimals and fractions, maybe time to buy the Fred algebra (or is there pre-algebra?) book to introduce the concepts?
Thanks again, Cat
Last edited by Catalana; 09/24/10 06:21 PM.