A Sample of What Your Child has Been Working on in Kindergarten

• Counting objects to tell how many there are

• Comparing two groups of objects to tell which group, if either, has more; comparing two written numbers to tell which is greater

• Acting out addition and subtraction word problems and drawing diagrams to represent them

• Adding with a sum of 10 or less; subtracting from a number 10 or less; and solving addition and subtraction word problems

• Adding and subtracting very small numbers quickly and accurately (e.g., 3 + 1)

• Correctly naming shapes regardless of orientation or size (e.g., a square oriented as a “diamond” is still a square)

Try these ideas:

Look for “word problems” in real life. Some kindergarten examples might include:

• Play “Write the next number.” You write a number, and your child writes the next number.

• Ask your child questions that require counting as many as 20 things. For example, ask, “How many books do you have about wild animals?”

• Ask your child questions that require comparing numbers. “Who is wearing more bracelets, you or your sister?” (Your child might use matching or counting to find the answer.