Making learning fun . One activity at a time

Subtraction Smash

This has to be one the best ways to introduce subtraction because it’s not just hands-on learning but also has sensory experience which makes it so so good for young kids.

Pre – Kindergarten/Kindergarten is a great time to introduce this activity and learn the concept of subtraction.

Learning Meter

  1. Subtraction
  2. Counting
  3. Sensory play

Supplies Needed

  1. Dry erase board
  2. Dry erase marker
  3. Play doh
  4. Index cards/sticky notes
  5. Markers

Let’s Play & Learn

First thing first , let’s get this activity ready by drawing a ten frame(use a dry erase marker only) on the cookie tray . Ten frame is nothing but a rectangle with 2 rows and 5 columns which make it into 10 equal squares.

Next we will write simple subtraction equations on index cards and also make 10 small play doh balls.

Let your child pick any 1 index card and solve that equation. Here’s how to do it –

Let’s say the equation is ‘7 – 2 = ‘ , so the child will first fill the ten frame with ‘7’ play doh balls and then smash aka subtract ‘2’ play doh ball and finally count the remaining (not smashed’ play doh balls i.e. 5 in this example.

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