Tag: math

Simply Subtraction Level 1 – a Math Workbook for Children with (or without) Down Syndrome

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Does your child need extra help with the addition and subtraction facts within 10? Here is a subtraction workbook I made for my son with T21 to help him master the subtraction facts within ten.

Similar to Simply Addition Level 1, this workbook uses a rekenrek (meaning “counting rack”) to make the process of subtraction visual and kinesthetic. After searching high and low for the ideal math manipulative for children with Down Syndrome, I think the rekenrek hits the mark. It’s an effective tool for developing number sense and making math concrete and meaningful. It is with this simple and inexpensive tool that my son has been making slow and steady progress in math.

Unfortunately, there are no Down Syndrome – friendly math workbooks that goes with a rekenrek… so guess who had to go and make one. Yours truly.

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Ten Essential Math Skills that Prepare Children with Down Syndrome for Addition

Published on by Mary Cooney3 Comments

Is your child with Down Syndrome struggling with addition and subtraction? If so, try focusing on the essential math skills needed before beginning addition. Here are ten hands-on ways to develop number sense and prepare your child for addition and subtraction.

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Free Winter-Themed Addition Cards

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Here is a set of winter-themed addition cards focusing only in the +1 and +2 facts, designed for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs. Children with T21 need to spend a lot of time using concrete objects and pictures to support their understanding and practice of addition.

In keeping with an incremental approach to learning, I recommend helping your child master the +1 and +2 facts within ten before moving on to +3 and +4 facts. Hence, these picture addition cards.

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Simply Addition Level 1 Math Games

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For those of you who are using Simply Addition Level 1 to help your child master addition facts within ten, here is a set of FREE Math Games. After all, playing games is the fun way to practice math skills.

This set contains a variety of games that align with most of the lessons in Simply Addition Level 1.

Take a look:

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Simply Addition Level 1 – A FREE Math Workbook for Kids with (or without) Down Syndrome

Published on by Mary Cooney1 Comment

If you would like to help your child learn the addition facts within ten, here is a FREE resource I hope you will find helpful. I have tried several math curricula for my son with Down Syndrome, but when it came to independence, accuracy, and fluency in working out the addition facts within ten, he did not make any real progress until we introduced the rekenrek. And so I found myself making worksheets and eventually this workbook for him and the kids in our coop, and for any child who needs extra help with addition.

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Winter-themed Number Line Addition

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Here’s a FREE set of winter-themed number line addition worksheets. These focus on the +1, +2, +3 and doubles facts within ten. They’re designed for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs.

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Autumn-Themed Picture Addition

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Here are some FREE autumn-themed picture addition worksheets! These provide practice with +0, +1, +2, and doubles facts within ten. These are perfect for kids who need lots of visuals to help them understand the concept of addition. I also designed them with bold numbers and pictures so kids with decreased visual acuity can use them.

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A Kindergarten Curriculum for Children with Down Syndrome

Published on by Mary Cooney3 Comments

Let’s talk curriculum, shall we? It’s one of my favorite topics! Many children with Down Syndrome need curriculum tailored to their learning profile. So, I’ve spent a lot of time searching, adapting, and creating curriculum for my son who has T21.

Today I’m sharing with you my favorite resources to help children with Down Syndrome master kindergarten-level skills and concepts.

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Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome: My Favorite Resources for Parents

Published on by Mary Cooney2 Comments

Last fall Junior started kindergarten, so I’ve been doing a lot of reading about how best to teach a child with Down Syndrome. There isn’t a whole lot of information and advice available on how to homeschool children with Down Syndrome (compared to the overwhelming plethora of blogs, books, videos, and conferences on homeschooling in general). However, there are some very helpful educational resources for parents of children with Down Syndrome. Today I’m sharing my favorite ones:

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Homeschooling a Child with Down Syndrome: Effective Strategies for Teaching

Published on by Mary Cooney10 Comments

Fifteen or so years ago, I began homeschooling my oldest child, and I’ve been homeschooling ever since. I’ve homeschooled five of my kids from preschool through sixth to eight grade. Even though my children differ widely in temperament, I eventually settled on a piece-meal curricula that worked well for everyone with some minor variations and changes over the years.

And then Junior came along. Junior, with his extra special chromosome, his zest for life and learning, and his gritty stubborn streak. Very early on, I realized that teaching him would be a whole new adventure. So I was not surprised when I came across the following:

Research has shown that young people with Down syndrome not only take longer to learn new skills but also learn differently in some key areas. Additionally, they benefit from some teaching strategies that are different to those typically used in education. Down Syndrome: Guidelines for Inclusive Education, International Down Syndrome Society and Down Syndrome Education International, Dec. 2021

As I read and researched about teaching children with T21, I began to keep a rolling list of best teaching strategies and practices. These have been incredibly helpful for homeschooling Junior and teaching three more little boys with T21 who come to my home for a Down Syndrome co-op.

Today I’m sharing these strategies with you and how we can use them at home.

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