Math

Do not be in a rush to start children in a formal math programs.  Long division is only fun once!

Young children should be taught with manipulatives -- beans, pennies, or popsicle sticks work well, but the best are Cuissenaire Rod type materials that include one's, ten's, and hundred's blocks.  Parents should learn to use place value blocks; with them a child can be shown addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in a concrete way every year and will have fun doing it.  Then when they start in a workbook, they will understand why they do what they do.  

The most popular elementary math program is MathUSee in which the teacher is on DVD and he also uses manipulatives.  The child has his own set.  This is a good way for parents to learn. 

For older children, Saxon Math is very popular and goes all the way through physics.

For a spiritual foundation under the math you study, read Mathematics -- Is God Silent? which is available from Wholesome Books.

Inspire, not Require 
- Oliver DeMille

see also the story about the colt in 
Elder M. Russell Ballard's April 2005 
General Conference address.