Addition is a basic academic foundation that every child needs to have. In fact, most countries have academic standards that require every 1st grader to understand the concept of addition (and subtraction) up to the number 20. So what is an easy way to teach the concept of addition to children? Before giving addition problems, you need to first make sure that they understand the concept of "adding" in everyday life. Want to know more? Read on to learn how to teach kids addition in a fun and effective way!
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Method 1 of 4: Using Manipulation Techniques
Step 1. Use the objects around you to explain the concept of addition
One of the best methods of explaining an abstract concept to your child is to use visual objects. Use whatever object is around you, such as a rock or candy. Start with small quantities and use simple tricks to explain relationships between numbers:
- Give two groups of objects, each group numbering a little; For example, give three candies and two stones. After that, have him count the number of candies and the number of stones separately.
- After that, ask your child to combine the two groups and count the total of the candies and stones. Explain that he just “summed” the two groups.
- Provide a group of objects – six pieces of Koko Crunch, for example – and ask your child to think about how many different groups he can make to make one large group of six pieces of Koko Crunch. For example, he might make one small group of five Koko Crunchs, and another small group of one Koko Crunch.
- Show how to "add up" by stacking. For example, start by stacking three coins; after that, add two coins on top of the pile. Ask your child to count how many coins are now in the pile.
Step 2. Group some children and use their bodies as “manipulation objects”
One of the children's habits is not being able to sit still; why not use this habit to teach the concept of addition? Use the tricks listed in the points above; Divide them into groups, occasionally changing the position and number of each group, then have them count the number of people in different configurations. (The human stacking method is not recommended!).
Step 3. Encourage your child to create their own manipulation techniques
For example, ask him to make certain objects with clay or cut paper in certain shapes. Nothing wrong with mixing math class with art skills class, right?
Step 4. Create a summation game using basic play tools
Dice are an example of a basic playing tool you can use. Have your child roll two dice and add up the results. You can also play the same game using cards or dominoes.
Every child has different learning abilities. Try modifying the game to accommodate – as well as provide more challenge to – children who are learning faster. For example, have them play three or four dice (or cards) and add up the results
Step 5. Teach your child to count with coins
Use the money to practice adding one, five, ten, or even twenty-five. In addition to teaching the concept of addition, this trick also provides pragmatic addition benefits for children.
Method 2 of 4: Introducing Mathematical Language and Fact Family Concepts
Step 1. Introduce addition symbols to your child
Explain the meaning of the symbols “+” and “=”, then help him make simple math sentences like “3+2=5”.
Start with math sentences written horizontally. From an early age, children are taught to write words and sentences in a horizontal line on paper. Applying the same concept to mathematical sentences will certainly make it easier to understand. If your child has mastered the concept of horizontal addition, you can start teaching the concept of vertical addition
Step 2. Teach the various terms that signify the occurrence of "addition"
Introduce terms such as, “all”, “together”, “how many”, “total”, and “sum” which are signs that he must add up two or more numbers.
Step 3. Use the fact family concept to make it easier for children to understand the relationships between numbers
A fact family is a group of arithmetic operations that consists of the same numbers, for example “4+5=9”, “5+4=9”, “9-5=4”, and “9-4=5”. Fact families often mix addition and subtraction to help students understand the inverse/inverse relationship between the two.
Try using a milk carton to illustrate the fact family concept. Cover the milk carton with paper if you want to use the carton again. Have your child list the whole numbers that fall into the fact family group, such as 4, 5, and 9. After that, ask him to write one fact about the numbers in that group on all four sides of the cardboard
Method 3 of 4: Teaching Basic Mathematical Concepts and Facts
Step 1. Have your child skip the count
Teach him to count at intervals of two, five, ten, even a hundred to improve his understanding of the relationships between numbers; in addition, he will also be helped to understand the basic comparisons in the relationship between numbers.
Step 2. Encourage your child to remember the sum of two equal numbers such as "3+3=6" or "8+8=16"
This method will also help him understand basic comparisons in the relationships between numbers. For example, a child who instinctively knows that "8+8=16", will usually find it easier to do "8+9" because he only needs to add "1" into "16".
Step 3. Use flash cards to help her remember important information
Try grouping cards according to the fact family concept to emphasize the relationship between the numbers. Although he also has to understand the interaction patterns of these numbers, at least "remembering" basic mathematical concepts and facts can strengthen the foundation of his understanding. By understanding these basic concepts, it will be easier for him to do more complicated arithmetic operations.
Method 4 of 4: Using Story Problems
Step 1. Teach him different types of story questions
For some people, story problems are a complicated type of arithmetic operation. But for others, story problems can actually help them understand the real-world implications of addition. Help your child understand three types of situations that involve the concept of addition:
- The "result unknown" problem. For example: Meredith owns two cars; on his birthday, he received three more cars. How many cars does Meredith have now?
- An "unknown change" issue. For example: Meredith owns two cars; After opening all his birthday gifts, he now owns five cars. How many cars did Meredith receive on her birthday?
- An "originally unknown" problem. For example: Meredith received three cars on her birthday; now, he has five cars. How many cars did Meredith have?
Step 2. Teach your child to understand the concepts of "combination", "part-part-whole", and "comparison"
Situations in real life have different parameters; Understanding how it works will help your child to solve addition story problems better.
- The "combined" problem has to do with adding up the count. For example, if Elizabeth baked three cake pans and Sara baked six cake pans, how many cakes did they bake in total? Sometimes, children are also asked to solve compound problems that change or are initially unknown. For example, if Elizabeth baked three cake pans and Elizabeth and Sara baked a total of nine cakes, how many cake pans did Sara bake?
- The "part-part-whole" problem has to do with adding two sets of static figures. For example, if there are 12 girls and 10 boys in the class, what is the total number of students in the class?
- The "comparison" problem deals with the unknown value of the comparison. For example, if Geoff has seven cakes, and he has three more cakes than Laura, how many cakes does Laura have?
Step 3. Take advantage of books that teach the concept of addition
Books of this kind will be especially useful for children who love to read and write. Search internet pages for the keyword “summing books for kids” and find a range of related books that can be accessed or purchased online.
