Your Child Will Learn
Solving subtraction problems with 10 items or fewer.
Here’s What to Do
- Put 10 small pieces of food (like cereal) on a plate and ask your child to count them.
- Ask your child how many pieces will be left if you take away three pieces. After your child answers, ask them to take away 3 snacks (optional: they can eat the snacks they take away!)
- Ask your child to check their answer by counting the snacks left on the plate.
- Repeat with different combinations (try starting with 1-9 pieces or subtracting different numbers).
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Do a silly snack subtraction dance!
ENGAGE
- “If we take away 3 pieces, how many will be left?”
- Try using math words to describe the result: “That’s right- 10 take away 3 equals 7!”
ENCOURAGE
- Remind your child that their brain gets stronger when they’re working on something tricky.
- Acknowledge their effort: “You’re working so hard to practice subtraction.”
REFLECT after you’re done:
- “Was it tricky for you to figure out the answers? Why or why not?”
Not Quite Ready
Play this game with 5 pieces of food instead of 10.
Ready for More
Play this game with up to 20 pieces of food.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to solve subtraction word problems with a difference between 0-10.
Time to Complete
10-15 minutes
Materials Needed
small pieces of food (ideas: cereal, crackers, blueberries), plate