Parents who want to support Singapore maths at home soon find that the resources on offer vary widely in quality and purpose. This guide sets out which Singapore maths resources in the UK are worth using, what each type is for, and where a tutor fits alongside them. If you are new to the approach, our explanation of what Singapore maths is is a useful starting point.
What counts as a Singapore maths resource?
Singapore maths is built around the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) progression. A child handles real objects, then draws the relationships as pictures, and only then moves to numbers and symbols. A good resource supports at least one of those three stages and, ideally, shows how they connect.
That gives you four useful categories: textbooks and workbooks, bar model tools, concrete materials, and worked-example videos. You do not need all four. Most families do well with one textbook series, plain paper for bar models and a small set of counters or cubes.
Textbooks and workbooks
Many UK primary schools now use Singapore-style textbooks, so your child may already bring one home. Where that is the case, use it. The sequence of topics has been carefully planned, and working alongside the school keeps everything consistent.
If you are looking for something extra, choose a series with a clear progression through each year group, worked examples that use pictures, and a limited number of questions per page. Avoid collections of timed drills. The Singapore approach deliberately prioritises understanding over speed, and drill-heavy books pull in the opposite direction.
Bar model tools
The bar model is the signature visual method of Singapore maths. A bar represents a quantity, and several bars side by side show how quantities relate. It is particularly valuable for word problems, fractions and ratio.
Plain squared paper and a pencil are all a child needs to begin. Our sister business, Bar Model Company, publishes material on the wider bar model methodology, which is helpful if you want to understand how teachers are trained to use it.
Concrete materials for home
A small kit goes a long way:
- Counters or buttons for early number work
- Interlocking cubes for building bars and arrays
- Cuisenaire-style rods for number bonds and fractions
- Base ten blocks for place value
Our online lessons rely mainly on digital manipulatives, which lets children see the maths clearly on screen. At home, though, physical objects are still worthwhile for younger children because the movement itself helps ideas stick.
Video and worked examples
Watching a method demonstrated is often quicker than reading about it. You can watch worked examples on our YouTube channel, which show how bar models are drawn step by step. Watch one together first, then let your child try a similar question on their own.
How to use resources at home without turning it into a battle
- Keep sessions short. Ten to fifteen focused minutes beats an hour of reluctance.
- Ask for the picture first. “Can you draw what is happening?” is a better prompt than “What is the answer?”
- Resist teaching shortcuts or tricks. They look efficient but often hide the reasoning.
- Talk about mistakes. A wrong answer is information about what to explain next.
Our guide to Singapore maths for parents goes into more detail on supporting your child’s homework in this style.
When resources are not enough
Resources give practice, but they cannot watch your child think. A tutor can see where a bar model has gone wrong and adjust the explanation on the spot. At Singapore Maths Academy, our qualified teachers teach small groups of around 4–5 children online, and each child works on their own personal whiteboard that the teacher can see in real time. If you would like to see how this could fit around what you already do at home, take a look at our programme overview or our 11+ maths tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy Singapore maths textbooks to help my child?
No. If your child’s school already uses a Singapore-style scheme, that is usually enough. Squared paper, a pencil and a few counters will let you practise bar models and CPA at home.
At what age should my child start using bar models?
Bar models are introduced in the early primary years and used through to secondary school. Younger children draw simple bars for addition and subtraction, while older pupils use them for fractions, percentages and ratio.
Can home resources replace a tutor?
They serve different purposes. Resources provide practice and exposure; a tutor gives feedback on your child’s thinking. Many families use both, and a conversation with us can help you decide what balance suits your child.
If you would like advice on what to use at home, or want to explore small-group lessons, book a free consultation call with Singapore Maths Academy. It is a conversation, not a lesson, and you will hear back personally from our team.
