You could have him play Math Blaster for a while to hone those arithmetic skills. Even if he doesn't decide to be an engineer he might have fun and get better at math.

Anonymous wrote:My 8 yo is determined to be an engineer but is actually gifted in language arts but only average in math. Should I put him in math tutoring or try to encourage things like debate club so he can maybe see some alternative paths?

When I was 8, I wanted to be the first female Catholic priest. When I was 9, I wanted to be the first female US President. Later I assumed we would have a female President by the time I was old enough, so I just decided I wanted to be a lawyer. As an adult, I have done none of that. If only my parents had put me into seminary or law school when I was 8 or 9, things could be so different now...

Anonymous wrote:My 8 yo is determined to be an engineer but is actually gifted in language arts but only average in math. Should I put him in math tutoring or try to encourage things like debate club so he can maybe see some alternative paths?

He's eight. Let him try many things.

When my kid was eight, she wanted to be a doctor. She's actually very good at math. She ended up going into communications.

Anonymous wrote:My 8 YO wanted to be a cat. He's in college now and is no longer interested in pursuing that. So glad we didn't spend a lot of money on mousing lessons, but the meowing classes have helped his theater hobby.

The car kid to theater pipeline is real

My 8 YO wanted to be a cat. He's in college now and is no longer interested in pursuing that. So glad we didn't spend a lot of money on mousing lessons, but the meowing classes have helped his theater hobby.

Trade school.

He'll probably change his mind several times about major, track and career but learning math s never a waste.

Anonymous wrote:My 8 yo is determined to be an engineer but is actually gifted in language arts but only average in math. Should I put him in math tutoring or try to encourage things like debate club so he can maybe see some alternative paths?

He is 8. Don't label him average. Get a math-tutor for summers, he'll be fine.

I want my 8 year old to be an orthodontist but he doesn’t even have all of his teeth. He wants to be a YouTuber but doesn’t even have an account.

He’s destined to live in my house forever.

Anonymous wrote:My 8 yo is determined to be an engineer but is actually gifted in language arts but only average in math. Should I put him in math tutoring or try to encourage things like debate club so he can maybe see some alternative paths?

My 8 yo wants to be Barbie. Do you really think what they want to be at age 8 will determine their future actual career path? (A) and do you really think that you know at age 8 whether or not your kid could be good at math in the future? (B). Most 8 year olds are in 2nd or 3rd grade. They haven’t had enough time in school to know what their math skills will likely be as an adult. I don’t think you could possibly know whether your kid has a likely future in engineering until high school at the earliest.

Anonymous wrote:If behind in math at age 8, that is not good regardless of future career path. In that case, many here on DCUM would supplement at home (we use Kumon workbooks bought from B&N) or use one of the after school centers.

Send him to the coal mine with this nutjob’s kid.

If behind in math at age 8, that is not good regardless of future career path. In that case, many here on DCUM would supplement at home (we use Kumon workbooks bought from B&N) or use one of the after school centers.

My DS is several grade levels ahead in math and average at writing. He wants to become an author.

Your child is eight. Who knows what he’ll be doing next year much less 10 or 20 years from now. But do you want him to look back and remember his parents being supportive of his dreams, encouraging of the things that excite him or do you want him to remember that when something was important to him, They found reasons for him to doubt himself?

He’s 8!