Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous[b wrote:]I really think that so many parents find multiple strategies difficult speaks to exactly how low American math skills really are. [/b]

100%

That said, I think most people usually pick a math strategy that works for them and don't really flip between math strategies. My kid is kind of fed up with learning multiple strategies when she has a preferred one she likes best but I've pointed out once she is finished with a unit she can just use her favorite strategy and forget the rest. And in some cases a strategy might not work well when first introduced but makes more sense when it's multiple digits or a more complex problem.