The maths issue is very complex and the levels of it demand different brain function, each person being different.

If I take myself as an example (and only myself), I find certain types of math easy, including integral calculus and I don't know why or how that happened as a child,  it just did.   No times tables came first.

Having said that, they are crucial (times tables) from the very beginning of education for everyone as they lead to the easiest or most difficult math solutions, but will only take a student so far of course.  I wish all schools would exercise those critical basic training principles.

Thanks Lloyds xxxx