How to Teach Kids to Add & Subtract Equations

Teaching your children basic math is an important step in their development.

Every parent wants their child to have a head start in school so that they can start their education on the right note. It can be tough, though, when they start learning the more difficult subjects like math while they are still young. You can help move along the process, though, by teaching your child the basic math skills like adding and subtracting. You can start before your child begins school or you can teach them at home while they cover it in class.

Things You'll Need

• Key cards

Instructions

1. Implement a study schedule for your child. Younger children especially need a structured learning environment like the one they receive at school. Never change the schedule unless it is absolutely necessary. Do not make the scheduled learning time too long, though, or your child may lose interest.

2. Show your child that you are interested in math, too. If your child sees you, an authority figure, having fun while doing math, they are more likely to enjoy it themselves.

3. Teach your child how to count and what the numbers look like on paper. If they can't count, they can't tell you what number remains after you add or subtract to it. Start with one through 10 and then move to one through 20 and so on. Have them count items while you hold up a key card that shows the written number of items.

4. Show your child the symbols for the equations. The plus and minus signs are something you may overlook when you educate your child, but they are an important piece of information nonetheless.

5. Prepare visual aids to help your child understand the equations. For example, you could lay out apples. Have your child count the apples, and then add or remove some. Have your child count the new number of apples and explain that you have added or subtracted to the overall number of apples.

6. Switch to paper equations once you feel that your child knows the basic concept of adding and subtracting. This is going to be the most difficult part of the process, but you must remain patient. Switch back to the visual aids if your child is not grasping the concept of the equations.

7. Contact your child's teacher (if they have already started school). Ask them for some advice on how they teach the children. This also helps you understand what your child should already understand and grasp, so you won't be repeating lessons your child already understands.

Tips & Warnings

• Patience is a virtue when it comes to teaching your child math. Never raise your voice or put your child down when they do not understand something. Positively reinforce their successes as well.

• Write down the strength and weaknesses you witness in your child as you work with them. Focus on the weaknesses to strengthen them, but mix in some of their strengths into the lesson plan so that the child does not feel like the math lessons are one big and never ending challenge.

Resources

• Teach R Kids Math
• Teach the Children Well: Math
• Home School Math: Four Habits of Highly Effective Math Teaching
• Worksheet Library: Top 10 Tips for Teaching Elementary Math