What Does My Child Need to Know to Be Ready for First-Grade Math?

Want to make sure your child is ready for first grade math? I taught first grade for six years, and I know firsthand how important it is to begin first grade with a strong foundation. Here is a list of a few things to work on to make sure they are ready.

1. Help Your Child Be a Problem Solver

One of the things I love about math is the amount of flexibility you can have. Everyone does not have to use the same strategies to find the solution. However, if kids are not problem solvers, they tend to look for a quick solution instead of truly working to understand and solve a problem. Encourage your kids to think outside the box and make connections.

2. Counting is a Must!

Kids need to easily be able to count to 100, beginning at any number. They also need to be able to count back from 20. Being a fluent counter helps kids use counting strategies for addition and subtraction. While they are counting out loud, let them practice counting actual objects as well. Your child will need to be able to count up to 20 items and write the numeral that matches the amount they counted. While they are counting, they can make a group of ten and then count the rest. It is important for kids to see that teen numbers are made from 10 and some more.

3. Practice with Numbers 0-10

Speaking of 10, this is a magic number for elementary math kiddos. Our entire number system is based on 10, so we want our kids really comfortable with making 10. I have a 10-frame mat that I love to work with. You can have your kiddo roll a dice, put that many on the 10-frame, and then count to see how many more they need to fill up the 10-frame.

4. Understand Addition and Subtraction

Kids should understand addition as putting together or adding to, and understand subtraction as taking apart or taking from. While your kids are working with the 10-frame, you can talk to them about how adding is putting amounts together and subtraction is taking away. There are other subtraction situations, but for now, “take away” is the main focus. Use real-world situations to help them with this idea. For example, you make 5 cookies and someone eats 2 of them. You will take 2 away from the 5.

5. Talk About Shapes and Their Characteristics

Kids should be familiar with basic shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles, and be able to describe their characteristics. You can point out shapes in everyday life and talk about their features, like the number of sides and corners.

By working on these skills over the summer, you’ll help your child start first grade with confidence and a strong foundation in math.