Do your K children occasionally confuse place value?

[Jane]

I tried searching the boards, but couldn't find anything on this topic.

My K daughter is using Horizon's K level (second book) and doing very well with it. Her only hang up is that she occasionally reverses the place value of numbers, for example "15" for "51." I don't remember my older children doing this, but they used Singapore Math 1A in K.

What's the hive's perspective on this one? I'm assuming it's a common problem that will correct itself as we continue into first grade.

[sixpence1978]

I think place value is something that is quite hard for a typical 5 year old to grasp. Reversals are also common too.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, just keep showing the correct way and using a lot of manipulatives to help with the concept.

Lately I've been using craft sticks to show the concept to my 5 year old. She likes the groups of 10 that are rubber-banded together :)

I would say just keep going over it. If it isn't clicking by the end of 1st grade, you should start worrying then.

[Kuovonne]

I think that it is common for kinder kids to confuse these numbers. (13=>31, 14=>41, 15=>51, etc.)
The names of the "teen" numbers are backward compared to all the other numbers - we say them right to left, instead of left to right. (fifty-one, vs. fifteen.) Plus, the names sound very similar (fifteen vs. fifty.)

I use RightStart Math and it introduces these numbers using the asian naming system and delays teaching the proper names until after place value is understood.

[Aurelia]

Mine did the number confusion for awhile, but we switched to RS which uses the "math way" of naming numbers at the beginning and it has really helped. Now she says "one-ten five" for 15 and "five-ten one" for 51 and she can tell the difference. Once I think she's mastered it, we will go back to "twelve" and "fifteen"

From my understanding, it's normal, given the way we name our numbers.

[Cadam]

Mine did at that age but our math program is hyper about place value. It is the first thing taught each year and reviewed in almost every book and many lessons throughout the book emphasizes the importance of place value.

The teen numbers are said "one-T five" (T stands for ten) for 15 and on like that. The problem was pretty quickly resolved.

[Tree House Academy]

Yes, yes, and yes. My 5 year old (turned 5 Sept 29, so young 5) does this all the time...but ONLY with the teens. Any other number, he does fine with. I think it is just hard for him to remember the teen numbers because they are different than the others in name. He is half-way through Singapore EB level B, but has finished Calvert K math, and did book 1 in Horizon's K math as well.

[mamato3 all-boy boys]

Just ditto'ing that we're having the same confusion here using Horizon's K. I know it will work itself out in the wash with more exposure, repetition, etc.

[3blessingmom]

Keep using manipulatives. Base Ten blocks are great.