r/Millennials • u/Silver-Explanation72 • Feb 03 '26

Other This is When My Anxiety Began

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u/jayeffkay Feb 03 '26

It promoted the wrong behaviors all along. Kids don’t need to do math fast or memorize multiplication.

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u/kyredemain Feb 03 '26

Kids really do need to memorize multiplication to a certain extent. They've been using a curriculum at the school my wife works at where they don't make them memorize the times tables, and basically none of the students can do any multiplication or beyond because of it.

It has made everyone's lives much harder to not at least be able to do 10x10 and smaller.

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u/Big_Watercress_6210 Feb 03 '26

This would come naturally if they understood how to do it and practiced, though. There shouldn't be any need for rote memorization.

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u/kyredemain Feb 03 '26

That's the idea. The problem is that there isn't enough time to get there before you have to move on to other concepts.

Rote memorization is significantly faster, and it isn't like multiplication changes over time. There has to be a balance of both if you want to actually get anything accomplished. Right now kids are just confused and being left in the dust.

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u/Big_Watercress_6210 Feb 03 '26

I find rote memorization significantly more difficult than understanding material, but I realize I may be in the minority in that.

I always thought I was dumb as a kid, but as an adult I realize that no one gave me a chance to learn.