Adding and subtracting story problems within 10
In kindergarten, children learn to solve addition and subtraction story problems within 10 and to show what happens in the story with objects or drawings.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
Try these with your child
These are real questions from our kindergarten practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
There are 3 birds. 1 flies away. How many left?
- 1
- 2
- 3
Why this matters
Story problems are where your child's adding and subtracting meet real life: sharing snacks, counting toys, and working out what is left. Picturing the story and deciding whether things are joined or taken away is a skill they will use in every later grade, as the numbers grow to 20 in 1st grade and to 100 in 2nd grade, and as stories gain more than one step.
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding the two numbers in every story, even when the story says some of the birds flew away.
- Losing track of the story partway, forgetting whether the second number was added or taken away.
- Answering with the number taken away instead of the number left, so 8 birds with 5 flying away gives 5.
How you can help
- Make up story problems about your day, such as "You had 4 crackers and I gave you 2 more," and let your child use real crackers to find the answer.
- Ask your child to tell you a story problem about their toys, then solve it together by moving the toys as the story is told.
- In the grocery store, ask questions like "We have 7 apples in the bag. If we put 2 back, how many will we buy?" and let them count.
The kid-friendly video below is a nice one to watch together. For more, Bobby's Math Club has free practice at your child’s level.
Kid-friendly explanation
Questions parents ask
Why is my child learning to solve word problems with drawings?
Drawings help your child picture what is happening in the story. When they draw 6 stickers and add 3 more, they can see that the total grows. That picture makes it clear whether to add or subtract. Over time, children rely less on drawings, but modeling the story first builds real understanding of the operations.
My child adds every word problem, even ones about taking away. How can I help?
This is common when children look for numbers rather than listening to the story. Slow down and act it out with objects. Ask questions such as, "Did the birds come or go? Are there more now or fewer?" Talking about what happens before thinking about the numbers helps your child choose the right operation.
What kinds of word problems should a kindergartner solve?
Simple joining and taking-away stories with totals of 10 or less, such as "5 cars are parked and 2 more arrive." Children also work on put-together stories, like 3 red apples and 4 green apples. They usually solve them with objects, fingers, or drawings. Problems with the unknown at the start come later, in 1st grade.
Make learning math fun
Bobby's Math Club turns kindergarten math practice into something fun to do together.
- Unlimited free practice
- Practice that starts where your child is and grows with them
- Hints when they are stuck, and a celebration when it clicks
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
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Join the clubNote for teachers: This skill is covered by Common Core math standard K.OA.A.2: “Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.” Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow. (Common Core K.OA.2)