How do I know what maths skill my child should learn next?
By the BrightHop team · Published · Updated
Short answer
Start from the skill that is going wrong and work backwards. If a skill is weak and something it depends on is also weak, teach the earlier one first. If the earlier skills are secure, teach the weak skill itself. Only when nothing is weak move on to something new.
A simple order to follow
- A weak skill whose prerequisite is also weak: teach the prerequisite.
- A weak skill whose prerequisites look fine: reteach that skill, aimed at the part that went wrong.
- A skill learned a while ago: revisit it briefly so it does not fade.
- A skill in progress: keep going.
- Otherwise: move on to the next new skill whose prerequisites are secure.
This is the order BrightHop's recommendations follow. It is BrightHop's own teaching approach, not official curriculum guidance.
Example: following the chain back
- Weak skill: finding a missing number at the start of an addition.
- It depends on: knowing the pairs that make 10, and simple addition.
- Check those. If number bonds to 10 are also shaky, teach number bonds first.
- Then return to the missing-number question with fresh examples.
Why not just follow the year level?
The curriculum tells you what is expected in each year (Year 1, Year 2). It does not tell you which step your child missed. The year level guides which skills are assumed known, but teaching the next unit while an earlier skill is unsecure tends to repeat the problem.
How to tell a skill is secure
- Correct in more than one question form.
- Correct on a different day without a reminder.
- The child can explain why, in their own words.
Try it
A Skill Check suggests one skill to work on and says why. The free maths Skill Checks need no account.
See the free maths Skill ChecksFrequently asked questions
What if I do not know the prerequisites?
Ask what a child must already know to answer the question that went wrong. For example, subtracting needs addition facts. A skill map, such as the one BrightHop uses, lists them for each topic.
Should I work a year behind?
Only for the skill that is missing. Most children do not need a whole year of review, just the one or two skills that the current topic depends on.
Related guides
Sources
This guide is written by the BrightHop team from BrightHop’s own teaching approach. It is not independent research and not official curriculum guidance. Curriculum and research statements link to their original sources above. Skill Checks are informal and do not replace a teacher’s advice. About BrightHop