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Teach addition by acting it out. Put three toys down, add two more, and count how many there are now. Then write it as 3 + 2 = 5. Start with sums up to 5, then 10. Move from counting all the toys to counting on from the bigger number, and only then to sums with numbers alone.
Addition means putting groups together. Show it with things: three apples and two more apples. How many apples now?
Children understand the plus sign much better after they have seen it happen with real things.
At first your child counts every toy: one, two, three, four, five. Later, show counting on: start at three and count two more, four, five.
Counting on is faster and leads to knowing sums by heart.

Worksheets with pictures to count are the step between toys and numbers. Your child counts the pictures, then writes the answer.
Sums with numbers only come when counting pictures is easy.
Over time, sums such as 2 + 2 and 5 + 5, and the pairs that make 10, become known by heart. Short daily practice helps more than long sessions.
Many US schools expect kindergarteners to add and take away within 10 by the end of the year.
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Act sums out with real things.
Start with sums up to 5.
Teach counting on from the bigger number.
Use picture worksheets before number-only ones.
Practice a few sums a day.
Addition within 10 worksheets with pictures and a number line.
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Subtraction within 10 worksheets with cross-out pictures and a number line.
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Math Path · Levels 6 to 7Addition and subtraction within 10 worksheets with pictures and a number line.
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See insideMany US schools expect adding and taking away within 10, and sums within 5 quickly, by the end of kindergarten.
Yes, at first. Fingers are a tool. Knowing facts by heart comes later with practice.
Soon after adding, also with real things: five apples, eat two, how many left?
Adding needs counting to be easy first. Practice one touch, one number, then act sums out.

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