Kids tend to look for the quickest and easiest way to complete a lesson.
Therefore, once they see a pattern, they simply plug in the assigned numbers. Since this does not require understanding, they can appear to be a whiz at math. Their secret is only revealed when those rare word problems come along and they fall apart. Therefore, it is essential that young children begin by solving problems within the context of daily life-allowing understanding and the practicality of math to become part of their math experience. Those children that can't answer quickly should then go to the cookie jar and count out two cookies for each person and then count the total.