The transition from kindergarten to the first grade is a huge one. Not only do children start going to school for a full day rather than half a day, the classroom setting in first grade is far more academically-oriented.

Math lessons in the first grade are no different. Your first grader will learn a variety of new mathematical concepts. In the past, first graders were often expected to memorize rules and facts and complete an endless amount of worksheets. Nowadays, it is essential for teachers and parents to reinforce traditional learning methods with fun methods of practice like games and other hands-on activities.

Mathematical Concepts Your First Grader Will Learn
Mathematical concepts that are emphasized in first grade include addition and subtraction, money, and time. First grade teachers typically spend about half of the school year teaching addition and subtraction. Parents should use games and objects to practice adding and subtracting with their children but only once a solid foundation of knowledge has been built. It is essential that children understand the concepts of adding and taking away very well before learning the rules behind addition and subtraction.

It is particularly difficult for children to grasp the idea of subtraction in the beginning so make sure your children have mastered the basics first before proceeding. To speed your children’s understanding of addition and subtraction, teach them how count by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s and teach them the sum of doubles such as 4 and 4. Memorizing the sum of doubles up to twenty can be very helpful because if your children know that the sum of 5 and 5 is 10, for example, they just have to add 1 in order to get the sum of 5 and 6. Teaching your children to count on their fingers when adding and subtracting should be avoided since it is a difficult habit to break.

Playing with money is a great way to practice adding and subtracting. You can pretend to run a little store in the classroom to practice counting and making change. Other mathematical concepts your first grader will learn include telling time, using rulers, reading thermometers, and answering basic word problems. After a solid understanding of the basics is built in the classroom, parents can play First Grade Math Games with their children to reinforce these newly learned skills.