Kindergarten Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten math in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Numbers represent quantities that can be decomposed into smaller parts.
- One-to-one correspondence and a sense of 5 and 10 are essential for fluency with numbers.
- Repeating elements in patterns can be identified.
- Objects have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.
- Familiar events can be described as likely or unlikely and compared.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Count everyday things out loud: stairs, grapes, steps to the car.
- Sort laundry or toys into groups, then ask which group has more.
- Spot shapes on a walk: circles on signs, rectangles on doors.
- Make patterns with snacks or blocks (red, blue, red, blue) and let your child continue them.
What each unit covers
Count to 10
Counting objects one at a time, matching numbers to amounts, counting on and back, putting numbers in order, and knowing that nothing is zero.
Make 5 and 10
Using 5 and 10 as anchors (fingers, five and ten frames), finding how many more make 5 or 10, and breaking numbers into two parts.
Add & Take Away
Small story problems where some join or some leave (totals to 10), plus finding one more and one less.
More, Less, Same
Comparing groups by matching them one to one, seeing equal as balanced and unequal as unbalanced on a scale, and reading simple picture graphs.
Patterns
Spotting the part that repeats in patterns like AB, AAB, ABB and ABC, then predicting what comes next or what is missing.
Shapes & Sizes
Naming flat shapes and solid objects by one feature (sides, corners, rolls or not), and comparing things by size, height, length, weight and how much they hold.
Coins
Recognizing the nickel, dime, quarter, loonie and toonie by colour, size and picture (values come in Grade 1), and playing store.
Likely or Unlikely
Describing everyday events as likely or unlikely, and comparing which of two or three things is more likely.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Kindergarten child with math?
Count everyday things out loud: stairs, grapes, steps to the car. Sort laundry or toys into groups, then ask which group has more. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Kindergarten math in BC?
The BC Curriculum Kindergarten math units include count to 10, make 5 and 10, add & take away, more, less, same, patterns, shapes & sizes.
Free printable Kindergarten math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.