My 8-year-old just learned multiplication grouping using an AI tutor.
He hasn't even started multiplication in school yet. But after 30 minutes with Synthesis Tutor, he understood that 7 x 3 means three groups of seven.
Here's what actually happened during our two-week test.
The Setup:
I signed up for Synthesis Tutor back in May ($79.20/year - now $119/year). My son is in 2nd class, working on addition and subtraction. I wanted to see if an AI tutor could actually teach math better than worksheets he uses in school.
Two sessions. 20 minutes, then 30 minutes. iPad only..
What worked:
The AI used multiple approaches to explain the same concept. Not just "12 + 13 = 25" but showing it with blocks, number lines, and word problems. This reinforced what he already knew from school.
He enjoyed the challenge. The AI adapted to his level and pushed him slightly beyond his comfort zone without overwhelming him.
By session two, he was more confident. The tutor introduced multiplication using visual grouping. Seven icons wrapped in three circles. He could see that 7 x 3 = 21 without memorizing times tables.
That's the personalized learning advantage. The AI met him exactly where he was and moved forward from there.
What Didn't Work:
The AI kept mispronouncing his name.
"Ma-TEO" instead of "Mateo." We re-recorded it multiple times. Never fixed it.
This frustrated him a lot at first. Eventually he just accepted that the robot doesn't know his name. But for a tool claiming to be "personalized," getting the kid's name wrong is rough.
Answers marked incorrect when they were right. This happened a few times. He'd get frustrated, I'd come check, and yes - his answer was correct. The AI just didn't recognize it.
Without me in the room, he would have walked away. Kids get frustrated easily with technology. They need a parent nearby to say "take a breath, try again" or to validate when they're actually right.
The Screen Time Question:
Funny moment: When I handed him the iPad, he said "This isn't my screen time, right?"
I told him no, this is separate. This is learning time, not YouTube time.
But honestly? It's still a screen. And that's something to consider if you're trying to limit device use.
Neighbours Reality Check:
I'm not the only one testing this. Here's what other parents in our neighbourhood have said:
Positive feedback:
- "My daughter has been actively using it, enjoying it far more than classroom math"
- "My son hit a problem with reading from age 5 to 8. I tried lots of resources. The continued effort mattered more than any single tool"
- "My kid is loving it. He's 6 and does an hour every day"
Negative feedback:
- "It's not a true 'tutor' where you can ask it anything"
- "Having to fill in credit card details just to complete the login process. Not even a trial preview first" (Note: They now offer 7-day free trial)
- "The problem is that he ran out of content in 3 months and now just plays the games"
Mixed reviews. Some kids love it. Some finish the content too quickly. Some parents hit billing issues.
The Pricing Reality:
I paid $79.20 in May. The price increased to $119/year by October.
That's $10/month if you commit annually. Not cheap, but cheaper than a weekly tutoring session ($40-60/hour).
The 7-day free trial is critical. Test it before paying. See if your kid actually engages or just clicks through mindlessly.
My Honest Take:
I'm continuing to use it for the next couple years.
But you need to be in the room. This isn't "set it and forget it." It's a supplement, not a replacement for parent involvement.
If your kid struggles with math and you're looking for extra practice with adaptive difficulty, this works.
If you're hoping the AI will magically teach your kid without any supervision, you'll be disappointed.
Bottom Line:
Worth trying if:
- Your kid needs extra math practice
- You can be nearby during sessions
- You're okay with $119/year for regular use
Not worth it if:
- You want fully independent learning
- You're trying to reduce screen time
- Your kid needs a human tutor's flexibility
Want to Try It?
Synthesis offers a 7-day free trial. Test it with your kid before committing.
Full transparency: If you become a paying subscriber after the trial, I get a $29 credit. But honestly? I'd recommend this even without the credit. It's been worth the $119/year for us.
[EXCLUSIVE FOR SUBSCRIBERS]
3 Tips That Made Sessions Go Smoother:
1. Set Expectations Before Handing Over the iPad
Tell your kid: “This is learning time, not play time. The robot teacher might make mistakes. If you get frustrated, call me over.”
This prevented the “I’m done with this!” meltdown when the AI marked a correct answer wrong.
2. Stay Within Earshot
You don’t need to hover. But being in the next room means you can intervene when frustration starts building. I could hear the tone in his voice change and knew when to check in.
3. Celebrate the Wins Out Loud
When he figured out 7 x 3 = 21, I made a big deal about it. “You just learned multiplication before school even taught it!” That built confidence and made him want to try the next challenge.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting:
The name pronunciation issue is apparently common. Other parents report similar problems. If your child has a non-English name or unusual pronunciation, prepare them that the AI might get it wrong.
The content depth varies by topic. Some parents report kids finishing all available content in 3 months. Others use it for a year without running out. Depends on your child’s level and how often they use it.
Platform Comparison: How does Synthesis stack up against other options?
Khan Academy Kids (Free):
- Pros: Free, gamified, broad subject coverage
- Cons: Less adaptive, not as focused on conceptual understanding
IXL ($10-20/month):
- Pros: Massive question bank, detailed progress tracking
- Cons: Can feel like endless drill-and-practice
Synthesis Tutor ($119/year):
- Pros: Adaptive, conversational, focuses on conceptual understanding
- Cons: Name pronunciation issues, answers sometimes marked wrong, needs parent supervision
Real Human Tutor ($40-60/hour):
- Pros: Flexible, builds relationship, can teach any subject
- Cons: Expensive, scheduling hassle, quality varies
For us, Synthesis hits the sweet spot between adaptive AI and affordable supplemental learning.
Try It This Week?
If your kid is 5-11 and could use math practice, test the free trial. Reply and tell me if the AI gets your kid’s name right!
P.S. - Next week: I tested that AI storybook tool everyone's talking about. Free to use. I'll show you the prompts that actually worked.
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