Skills Practice Vs. Concept Development

Balance.

It's where so many things go wrong.

In trying to do one thing well, we overlook something else.

It frequently happens in math education. Whether in homeschool or in public school, math education is often imbalanced.

It seems that we may wish to ask ourselves this question...

"Does my child's math education present a balance between concept development and skills practice?" 

• Am I so focused on "skills" (math drills, flashcards, pages & pages of traditional story problems or algorithms) that I'm missing the "big picture," not allowing my student the time and opportunity to development mathematical thinking?
• Am I so worried about NOT doing the "traditional" stuff that I've thrown out the proverbial baby with the bath water...never allowing my student time to practice math skills?

I sampled an on-line math curriculum with one of my children a couple years ago. Sadly, the program over-emphasized skills practice and just assumed that students would develop concepts through very brief tutorials. I'm afraid that my child soaked in the concepts long enough to practice the prescribed drills, but failed to further develop mathematical thinking skills.

Yet there is a place for skill practice. Even electronic.

Saturday, on a weekly basis, I'm starting a series of posts on using math apps. While I would never want this to become the staple of a math education, I do see value in allowing kids time to practice skills already learned through fun, unique apps.

What do you think? How do you balance concept development and skills practice for your student(s)?