191: When 1st Graders Tackle Multiplication Stories… Magic Happens

Send us Fan Mail

Today’s episode dives into a question many K–1 teachers ask: Why are we giving multiplication problem types when they’re nowhere in the standards? If you’ve ever wondered whether this is developmentally appropriate, too advanced, or simply “off track,” you’re definitely not alone.

But here’s the truth: young children already experience multiplicative situations in real life — and those experiences naturally support early additive reasoning. In this episode, I share a powerful story from Kayla’s first-grade classroom that illustrates exactly why these problem types matter.

🎧 CTA — Listen, Subscribe, Review & Download

If this episode sparked ideas or affirmed your instincts, make sure to listen to the full conversation, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to help more teachers find it.