Around the time they reach first grade, kids begin working on arithmetic concepts like addition and subtraction. Students need a strong foundation in these skills before they can move on to more advanced math, so it’s important to spend time making sure children truly understand them. Here’s what you need to know about teaching addition to kids.

Preparing to Teach Addition Skills

Before kids can learn to add, they’ll need foundational counting skills. They must develop what’s known as number sense, including the following concepts.

• Ordinality: When we teach kids to count, we’re basically teaching them the correct order of numbers, known as ordinality. Younger students learn to count to 10, while older students work toward 100 and beyond. Remember to practice counting backward too.

• Less and More: You can introduce the general idea of addition to kids very early on, simply by talking about the concept of “less” and “more.”

• 1-to-1 Correspondence: As you teach kids to count, be sure to correlate physical amounts of items with the numbers. It’s not enough for kids to just be able to say their numbers in order. They must be able to relate a number to an item being counted, a skill known as “1-to-1 correspondence.”

• Cardinality: This term means students understand a number relates directly to a group of items; for example, the numeral 7 and the word seven represents a group of 7 bananas.

6 Strategies for Teaching and Learning Addition

Once they’ve developed a good grasp of number sense, kids are ready to see addition in action. Start with smaller numbers, like addition within a sum of five, then ten. Then, build their skills until they know all their basic addition facts. Here are some strategies and tips for teaching addition to your child.

1. Writing Equations

Learning to add means writing out equations like “3 + 5 = 8,” so you’ll need to teach them those symbols and what they mean. They’ll also need to learn words like “addend” and “sum.”

Try this:

• Make cards with addition signs and equals signs on them. It’s also important for young students to learn from the start that the equal sign means “is the same as.” Many tend to believe the sign basically means “the answer is.” Use these cards along with number cards or magnets to build an equation. Exposure to equations like “8 = 3 + 5” is beneficial, too. Many students have the misconception that equations can only be built in the more often seen structure, [addend] + [addend] = [sum].
• Build equations in tandem with showing a visual or adding actual items. For example, use some beads or other household objects and say to your child “You had 6 beads, and now I’ve given you 3 more beads. How many beads do you have in all?” 

2. Counting On

Basically, this means kids can start counting upward from any number, without needing to start at number 1.

Try this:

• Try this: Lay out three items and ask your child to count them. Then, add three more items to the display. Starting at 3, ask your child to “count on” to find the total number of items. 

3. Zero Facts

This seems like an obvious concept to adults, but kids need to learn that when you add zero to a number the number does not change. (Remember to include zero as a concept when you’re teaching kids to count.)

Try this: Introduce flashcards using zero facts. Kids usually master these pretty quickly, and this will help them become familiar with the concept of flashcards too.

4. Making 10

Another simple concept teachers often use is the idea of “making ten.” This helps kids master all their lower addition facts. Plus, it prepares them for the idea of regrouping when they begin adding two-digit and larger numbers.

Try this: Give kids 10 small items. Have them lay out 1 item, then add the other nine, counting on until they reach 10. Repeat with 2, 3, 4, etc. As they develop their skills, ask them to “make ten” without needing to count on.

5. Turn Around Facts

One nice thing about addition is that it doesn’t matter what order the addends appear in; the sum is always the same. In other words, 4 + 5 and 5 + 4 both equal 9. One way to support this understanding is to refer to addends as “parts” and the sum as the “whole.” The parts added together will always make the whole! 

Try this: Give your child three items, while you hold five items. Ask them for the total number of items you each have. Then, trade items, so they have five and you have three. Ask them for the total again. Note that it’s the same sum, no matter what order you add them up in.

6. Tally Marks

Tally marks (a series of four vertical slashes with a diagonal fifth slash to represent each grouping of five) are a fun way to practice counting on and basic addition.

Try this: Take turns tossing balls into a basket. For each one that goes in, award the player a tally mark. Compete to be the first to reach 5, 10, or another target number.

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Math Manipulatives and Tools for Teaching Addition

Hands-on tools are especially helpful for students learning addition. Here are some classroom and home favorites:

• 10 Frame
• Number Line
• Rekenrek
• Double-sided Counters
• Flashcards
• Dominoes
• Dice
• Playing Cards/Uno Cards
• Base 10 Blocks
• Math Balance

Addition Games and Activities

Make math more fun for kids by playing games or doing physical, hands-on activities. This engages all parts of the brain and helps the learning stick! You can see our full list of 15 awesome addition activities here, or try these activities below.

ABCmouse Educational Math Games 

Make screen time more meaningful with apps that encourage math and addition skills in kids. ABCmouse offers lots of games perfect for learning addition, in addition to our complete math curriculum. Learn more about how ABCmouse can help teach addition to kids here.

Advanced Addition Skills for Kids

Although curriculum programs vary, children are generally expected to master their basic addition facts by the end of first grade. Children also begin to work on more advanced skills in first grade, such as equations with multiple addends (e.g. “5 + 8 + 9 = 22”) and multi-digit addition (e.g. “42 + 16 = 58”). You can use many of the same strategies shown above for these advanced addition problems.

The most complex skill in basic addition is regrouping in multi-digit addition. This requires understanding other number concepts like place value. Try using base 10 blocks for hands-on demonstrations, and know that this skill is one it takes most children lots of practice to master. Learn more about teaching regrouping here.

 How to Help Kids Who Struggle With Addition

For some kids, learning addition comes easily, but others struggle to understand the concept and master their math facts. Some research suggests that these challenges can often be traced back to underlying cognitive aspects, such as working memory and counting knowledge. Research by David C. Geary and colleagues provides insight into this: “In all grades, the children with mathematical disabilities (MD) showed a working memory deficit, and in first grade, these children used less sophisticated strategies and committed more errors while solving simple and complex addition problems.” This highlights the need for educators and parents to adopt strategies that address these fundamental cognitive challenges.

Another more straightforward way to help children with math is to work on addition in tandem with subtraction. Doing both at the same time helps to reinforce the relationship between the two and develop flexible thinking as a mathematician. Here are some ways parents can help:

Focus on Fundamentals: Ensure your child has strong number sense skills. If they don’t understand concepts like cardinality, 1-to-1 correspondence, counting on, or “less and more,” they won’t be able to build on those skills to master addition. Return to the basics until your child is ready to try again.

Use Hands-on Practice: Many children do best when they get to move and handle items physically. Build a collection of manipulatives and math toys that your child enjoys, or check out these digital resources, and use them often.

Play Board Games: Many board games naturally involve counting and addition. Pull out old favorites like Monopoly©, cribbage, and Yahtzee© to encourage addition practice that’s fun too.

Try Math Practice Apps: Make screen time more meaningful with apps that encourage math and addition skills in kids. ABCmouse offers lots of games perfect for learning addition, along with our complete math curriculum.

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