Math Olympiad

The five stages

Each stage builds one skill after another, and old skills come back in every warm-up.

1. 1

   Stage 1 · Sorting and matching 啟蒙・分類與配對

   Sort by colour, shape and size. Match one to one and tell if there is enough. Spot differences and say why.

   Level up: sorts on their own and explains why.

2. 2

   Stage 2 · Pattern detectives 規律小偵探

   Continue AB, AAB and ABC patterns. Find and fix the wrong piece. Put 3 to 5 things in order of size. Order story cards.

   Level up: continues an ABC pattern and fixes mistakes.

3. 3

   Stage 3 · Number sense 數感建構

   Count to 20. Recognise 1 to 5 at a glance on dot cards. Compare amounts without counting. Split and combine 5 to 10.

   Level up: reads dot cards up to 5 at a glance and counts accurately.

4. 4

   Stage 4 · Shapes and space 圖形與空間

   Name and sort flat shapes. Fit 2 to 4 tangram pieces. Use words like up, down, in front, behind, inside, outside. Copy a block structure.

   Level up: completes a 3 to 4 piece outline and copies a 5 block structure.

5. 5

   Stage 5 · Early logic 小小邏輯家

   Picture sudoku on a 4 by 4 grid. Reason from two clues. Sort by two properties. Add and subtract within 10 in story problems.

   Level up: finishes a sudoku alone and acts out an adding or taking-away story.

How a class runs

Short blocks match how long young children can focus.

• Warm-up circle

  Revisits skills from earlier stages.

• Core game

  The new idea of the day, learned by playing.

• Hands-on exploration

  Blocks, cards and tools to touch and move.

• Second game

  Includes contests your child can win.

• Story wrap-up

  A calm ending that pulls the idea together.

Where your child starts

• Optional diagnostic

  Five short sections, one for each ability. Your child starts at the first stage where a section is not yet secure.

• Usual starting points

  Four-year-olds often start at stage 1 or 2, and five-year-olds at stage 2 or 3. The diagnostic decides.

• After stage 5

  The route continues into K3: written numbers, adding and subtracting within 20, and counting shapes.

Common questions