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Two popular homeschool math programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: how your child learns, how much you'll teach, and how each one handles review.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Singapore Math | Math with Confidence | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–8 | K–6 |
| Approach | Mastery, conceptual | Gentle, hands-on |
| Who teaches | Parent teaches | Scripted for the parent |
| Parent prep | Moderate–high | Low (gather household items) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline | Mostly offline |
| Video lessons | Available: lesson videos available | None: videos are parent training, not student lessons |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B) | About $106 for the instructor guide and workbooks; about $60 for a sibling's workbooks |
| Placement | Free placement tests | Author's placement guide |
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| Common complaints |
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Parents consistently credit Singapore with building real number sense: kids learn why a method works, not only how. The newer Dimensions edition adds videos and activities, which helps, but many say the lessons got longer and need more parent prep than the older Primary Mathematics books.
Parents describe it as a gentle but solid middle-of-the-road program: scripted, open-and-go, full of games and easy on the budget. The main gripes are gathering household manipulatives before lessons and a pace that can feel slow for very advanced kids.
Neither is better for every child. Singapore Math is the stronger fit for races ahead, loves puzzles; pictures and diagrams; video lessons a big plus. Math with Confidence is the stronger fit for struggles or feels anxious; stories and fun; rusty.
Singapore Math is mastery, conceptual.
Math with Confidence is gentle, hands-on.
Singapore Math: About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B). Math with Confidence: About $106 for the instructor guide and workbooks; about $60 for a sibling's workbooks.
Summaries are in our own words.