This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you click on the links; at no additional cost to you. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.
Are you looking for ways to teach your child simple addition and subtraction skills?
These easy & simple ideas are perfect for young learners!
I know what you’re thinking…
a young preschool child cannot grasp the understanding and meaning behind addition and subtraction.
it is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.
Well, what if I told you that you are ABSOLUTELY WRONG in your thinking!! Children as young as four are capable of completing simple Addition and subtraction problems. It is all in the way it is presented to them and in the language used in the presentation. Remember, presentation is EVERYTHING!! Using the correct language and wording is key in children grasping and understanding the process of “addition” and “subtraction”.
When addition & subtraction should be introduced
Beginning lessons on simple addition and subtraction can be done once a child has mastered their numbers from one to twenty. When I say master, I mean that if you show them random numbers (out of order) from one to twenty, they should be able to tell you what they are without hesitation. If a child has only mastered numbers one to ten, you can just introduce simple addition and subtraction using numbers one to ten until they have numbers eleven to twenty mastered. It is important to remember that children master knowing numbers and the number quantities, and have experience with counting before introducing these complex operations. The complexity of the lesson depends on the mastery level of the child and the lessons they have had. In these cases, you always follow the child’s development.
The correct language of “addition and “subtraction”
The act of addition is to take two sets of number quantities, and add them together. When introducing addition to young children, you should explain it as you take two sets of quantities, add one set to another, and count to see how much they make together. When introducing addition to young children, the key vocabulary words to use are “together”, “add”, and “count”.
The act of subtraction is to take one large number quantity, and taking away a second number quantity. When introducing subtraction to young children, you should explain it as you take one quantity, take away the second quantity, and count to see what is left over. When introducing young children, the key vocabulary words to use are “take away”, “count”, and “left over”
The Montessori Way
If a child has been in a Montessori environment or has been exposed to Montessori at home, then one of the first counting lessons would be the bead stair , The bead stair is a set of beads from one to nine with a colored bead that represents each number. The 1 bead is red, the 2 bead is green, the 3 bead is pink, the 4 bead is yellow, the 5 bead is light blue, the 6 bead is purple, the 7 bead is white, the 8 bead is brown, and the 9 bead is dark blue. The children are supposed to master recognition of numbers one to nine, as well as the color that corresponds with each number.
Once the one to nine Bead Stair is mastered, then the child will be introduced to the teen bead stair . The teen bead stair introduces the child to the number 10, which is a golden bead. The golden ten bead is paired with the one to nine colored beads to master numbers eleven to nineteen.
To introduce addition, the double bead stair is used. It is a tray that contains two sets of bead stairs; one to ten. The children use it to complete simple addition problems. I would write out problems in random order, and then have children select the first number(corresponding bead) in the problem from the first bead stair, and the second number(corresponding bead) in the problem from the second bead stair. I would point out that the symbol in the middle of both numbers is a addition sign, and that we will be “adding” the numbers of both beads “together”. I would then have them count all of the beads, and write their answer in the empty box on their paper. The beads are very close together, so I would give them a “bead counter” to use; which is just a bread bag tie broken in half!
The Montessori-inspired way
If a child has not been exposed to the Montessori environment and the materials, then I would introduce counting lessons using Montessori-inspired works and lessons. Montessori-inspired works and lessons are activities that are inspired by and based on Montessori practices and principles, but that are not necessarily authentic Montessori materials. They will still benefit the learning and development of the child, but they do not have a formal Montessori name. An example of a Montessori inspired activity is counting, adding or subtracting with glass beads. You could use almost anything. Glass beads, pennies, rocks, or stringing beads are all good items to use.
Just like in the other lesson, I would write out random addition problems and have them get the correct quantity of counting beads for the first number. I would have them leave a small space, and then have them get the correct quantity of counting beads for the second number. They would then put them together, count them all, and write their answer in the empty box on their paper.
I would always use this Montessori-inspired activity to introduce the children to simple subtraction. I would make sure to point out that the symbol in the middle is different than before; it is a “take away” sign. I again would write out random problems, then have then get the correct quantity of beads for the first number. Then I make it a point to remind them that we are going to “take away” the correct amount of beads for the second number. Then I would instruct them to count what is “left over”. They then would write the answer in the empty box on their paper.
There you have it! It is just that simple! Teaching simple addition and subtraction can be easy if you present it int best way possible, and are conscious of the wording that you use. If you would rather not purchase the Montessori bead stair works and the beads, you can use whatever you have at home. Spare change, small candies, beans; the product you use does not matter. The process of doing the operations of addition and subtraction is what matters. Just have fun with it and let your child learn from the materials you have! Enjoy!
