How to Teach Children to Add Up Numbers

Teach children how to add numbers.

Children commonly learn the basic principles of how to add numbers in first or second grade---sometimes even earlier. To help encourage his learning process, you can do a simple drill at home (or in school as the teacher) that will make the process of adding numbers simpler for the child to understand.

Things You'll Need

• 4 pencils or pens
• Tape

Instructions

1. Ask the child what are some of his favorite things. These can include food, animals and action figures. Using items he enjoys will keep him interested in the task at hand.

2. Purchase a set of at least 20 of the items that the child likes. For instance, if he likes cookies, purchase a pack of cookies to assist in the process of learning how to add numbers.

3. Tape two pens or pencils together so that they form a plus sign. Use two additional pencils for an equal sign as well.

4. Lay out the items on a cleared table in front of the child so that he can see them all individually.

5. Pick from the pile of items and start putting them together to demonstrate basic addition problems. For example, in the case of cookies, place one cookie on the table in front of the child, then put the plus sign next, and finally place another cookie on the table. Position the equal sign after the equation and then ask the child how many cookies are on the table. Point to the cookies when you count together so that he can see how one plus one equals two.

6. Reward the child by giving him one of the items to enjoy whenever he answers the math question correctly.

7. Continue this process of adding the items together while increasing the numbers in your equations. Repeat this addition activity each day for at least an hour at a time with the child until he's familiar with the drill.

References

• Math and Reading Help: Children Learning Addition