What is this skill?
Adding within 5 is the first formal addition children meet. Problems like 2 + 1 or 3 + 2 are shown with pictures, fingers or objects: two apples and one more apple, how many altogether? The plus sign and equals sign are introduced alongside the pictures, so children start to connect "put together" with the written equation.
At this stage children usually solve problems by counting all the objects, starting from one. That is exactly right for kindergarten. Over time, with lots of small sums, many children start to just know facts like 2 + 2 = 4 and 4 + 1 = 5 without counting.
Why it matters
Small sums are the building blocks of all addition facts. Later strategies, like making ten or using doubles, depend on children knowing the small combinations well. Knowing the ways to make 5 (such as 4 and 1, or 3 and 2) also helps children see 5 as a useful landmark number, half of 10 and the number of fingers on one hand.
Working with pictures first matters because it keeps the meaning attached to the symbols. A child who knows that 3 + 2 means three things and two more things can check their answer, rather than guessing.
Common mistakes
- Counting only one of the two groups, or counting the last object of the first group again as the start of the second. Pointing to each object as it is counted helps.
- Treating the plus sign as just a symbol to ignore and writing the two numbers side by side, like 32 instead of 5. Keep pictures alongside the equation until the meaning is secure.
- Guessing a nearby number rather than counting. Encourage your child to show the problem on their fingers, which are always available and always the right size.
How to help at home
- Tell tiny stories with toys: "Two cars are parked. One more drives in. How many cars now?" Let your child act it out before answering.
- Play finger games: hold up 3 fingers on one hand and 1 on the other and ask how many altogether. Then let your child make up a problem for you.
- Explore all the ways to make 5. Put 5 buttons in your hand, hide some, and ask how many are hidden. The pairs 5 and 0, 4 and 1, 3 and 2 will start to stick.
- Use the words "and" and "altogether" before you use "plus." The everyday words make the new symbol easier to understand, and you can switch to "plus" once your child is comfortable.
Worked examples
These are real questions from the Tutorsaurus adding to 5 practice, with the answers worked out.
Example 1
2 + 1 = ?
Choices: 3, 1, 4, 6
Answer: 3. 2 and 1 more makes 3.
Example 2
2 + 1 = ?
Choices: 4, 3, 2, 1
Answer: 3. 2 and 1 more makes 3.
Example 3
1 + 4 = ?
Choices: 7, 6, 5, 8
Answer: 5. 1 and 4 more makes 5.