How to Teach Your Child Addition Within 10

The skill that turns counting into combining. Your child learns that addition is about putting groups together and finding how many there are in all.

Addition shows up naturally when kids add snacks, toys, or steps. The goal is helping them see addition as something they already do, not something new to memorize.

This is the foundation for mental math, subtraction, word problems, and everything that comes next.

Before You Start

Your child should be able to count objects up to 10 and recognize small quantities.

If counting is still inconsistent, spend more time there before focusing on addition.

5 Ways to Build This Skill Daily

Snack Combiner

Already handing out snacks? Put some on one side of the plate and some on the other. “You have three here and two here. How many altogether?” Push them together and count. Eating the answer helps.

Toy Join-Up

Cleaning up toys? Count how many cars are on the rug and how many are on the shelf. “Let’s put them together. How many now?” Suddenly cleanup turns into math that makes sense.

Stair Add-On

Standing on the stairs? Take three steps, pause, then add two more. “You took three steps, then two more. How many steps did you take altogether?” Movement makes addition feel natural.

Finger Math Movements

Waiting somewhere? Show three fingers, then add two more. “Three and two makes how many?” Kids love being able to check their answer instantly.

When your child starts combining groups and telling you the total without counting every object, they are ready to move forward.

When You Have Focused Time

Ten Frame Additions using Ten Frame Set

Fill part of a ten frame, then add more counters. Ask how many spaces are filled now. Seeing the frame fill helps kids understand totals without recounting everything.

Counter Combos using Two-Color Counters by Learning Resources

Start with one small group of counters, then add another. Slide them together and count the total. Say it out loud: “Four and three makes seven.” Change the colors so kids can still see the parts.

Helpful Resources

Here are resources that will reinforce your teaching in a fun, fresh manner.

Books

Tools (Manipulatives or Toys)

Laundry Pile Additions

Folding clothes? Count socks in one pile, then add a few more. “We had four socks, then added three. How many now?” Bonus: laundry actually gets done.

What’s Next:

Once your child can add numbers within 10 comfortably, move on to Concept 5: Subtraction Within 10, where they learn what happens when groups are taken away.