Math guides for parents

Clear, step-by-step help for teaching kids addition, subtraction, multiplication and division at home, with worked examples, pictures, practice problems and grade-by-grade checklists from kindergarten to 4th grade.

Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication & times tables
Division
What to expect by grade
For parents

Addition

From counting on to carrying the one.

Complete guide · Pre-K–3 How to teach addition to kids, step by step The complete path from counting objects to two-digit sums, with the strategies schools use.

Addition · K–2 The make ten strategy for addition, with examples Fill up a ten first: the strategy that turns 8 + 5 into 10 + 3, with ten-frames and games.

Addition · K–2 Doubles facts and doubles plus one: how to teach them All the doubles from 1 + 1 to 10 + 10, real-life pictures for each, and how near doubles follow.

Addition · 1–3 How to teach addition with regrouping (carrying), step by step Carrying explained with base-ten blocks, the column method and 2- and 3-digit worked examples.

Subtraction

Counting back, fact families and borrowing.

Complete guide · K–3 How to teach subtraction to kids, step by step From taking away toys to two-digit problems: the stages and strategies schools use, with pictures.

Subtraction · 2–3 How to explain borrowing in subtraction (regrouping), step by step Borrowing explained as a fair trade, with 2- and 3-digit examples and the tricky zeros.

Subtraction · 1–3 Fact families for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division Three numbers, four facts: how fact families make subtraction and division easier.

Multiplication & times tables

Equal groups, arrays and table tricks.

Complete guide · 2–4 How to teach multiplication to kids, step by step From equal groups to times tables by heart, with the strategies schools use for the hard facts.

Multiplication & times tables · K–3 Skip counting for kids: how to teach counting by 2s, 5s and 10s Count by 10s, 5s and 2s with hundred-chart patterns, everyday objects and movement games.

Multiplication & times tables · 2–4 The fastest way to learn times tables (that actually sticks) Fewer facts than you think, a smart order, a daily routine and a sample week-by-week plan.

Multiplication & times tables · 3–4 The 9 times table trick with hands (and why it works) Fold one finger, read the answer, then see why the trick works and where it stops.

Multiplication & times tables · 3–4 Multiplication tricks for 6, 7 and 8 (the hardest times tables) Only six hard facts are left after the easy tables. Here's a trick for each one.

Division

Sharing, grouping and long division.

Complete guide · 2–4 How to teach division to kids, step by step From sharing snacks fairly to remainders and long division, with the strategies schools use.

Division · 3 How to explain division to a 3rd grader (a 20-minute lesson) A ready-to-use kitchen-table lesson: what to say, what to ask and what to practice next.

Division · 4–5 Long division for kids, step by step Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down: worked examples, remainders, zeros and partial quotients.

What to expect by grade

Grade-by-grade math checklists, K to 4.

What to expect by grade · K What math should a kindergartener know by the end of the year? Counting to 100, adding within 10, teen numbers and shapes: the full K checklist with quick checks.

What to expect by grade · 1 What math should a 1st grader know by the end of the year? Sums to 20, the equal sign, tens and ones, telling time and halves: the 1st grade checklist.

What to expect by grade · 2 What math should a 2nd grader know by the end of the year? A plain-English checklist of 2nd grade math, with quick self-check questions and 10-minute home ideas.

What to expect by grade · 3 What math should a 3rd grader know? A parent checklist Times tables, division, fractions, area and time: what 3rd graders learn, in plain English.

What to expect by grade · 4 What math skills should a 4th grader know? Big numbers, multi-digit multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and angles, in plain English.

What to expect by grade · K–4 Math facts by grade: what kids should know, and when A year-by-year table of math fact goals, plus how to build and check fluency at home.

For parents

Fun at home, struggles, games and screen time.

For parents · K–4 How to make math fun for kids at home: 22 easy ideas Six principles and 22 playful ideas for the kitchen, car, store and game night.

For parents · K 15 no-prep math games for kindergarten you can play at home Cards, dice, a cup and a snack: 15 five-minute games that build kindergarten math skills.

For parents · K–4 My child struggles with math: why it happens and how to help Find the real gap, use what research says works, calm math anxiety, and know when to ask for more help.

For parents · Pre-K–4 How much screen time is OK for learning apps? What the AAP really says by age, plus a checklist for picking a math app worth the screen time.

Free printables

Multiplication charts, ten-frames and practice sheets with answer keys. Print as many as you like.

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