27/06/2025
When should a child begin to learn arithmetic? In this form the question is not very sensible. Children begin to count through watching and copying others do it, sometimes at the age of two or three, sometimes a year or two later. They couldn't do this if at the same time something within them (the genius in his heart and lungs) didn't stimulate them to meet what their senses offer them.
Older brothers and sisters (often very good teachers, that’s why I do love class with mix age students) may get them to copy what they are doing. Provided lots of other activities interest the child, it would be foolish to attempt to stop them becoming interested in counting, different kind of numbers, and sharing things out numerically. It is only when arithmetic is imposed upon them that subtle dangers to health can arise.
Dr Debbie, Child Psychologist