Count to add and subtract
Starting at 7 and counting on, instead of counting every object from 1, is a big moment in how your child thinks about numbers. It is the bridge to faster strategies like making ten and using known facts, which carry your child through adding bigger numbers in 2nd grade. Without it, children often keep counting from 1, which gets slow and error-prone as numbers grow.
In this video, your child will learn to use counting to add and subtract.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
5 + 3 = ?
Example 2
9 − 3 = ?
Your child's turn
13 − 4 = ?
The three key steps
- 1To add, start at the first number and count on.
- 2To subtract, start at the first number and count back.
- 3Don't count the number you start on.
Mistakes to listen for
- Starting over at 1 every time, counting out all 7 blocks and then 2 more to solve 7 + 2.
- Counting the starting number as the first step, saying "7, 8" for 7 + 2 and answering 8 instead of 9.
- Losing track of how many steps have been counted on past 3 or 4, then stopping too early or going too far.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to counting on and back to add and subtract →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More 1st grade Problem Solving, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice counting on and back to add and subtract, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to counting on and back to add and subtract has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice counting on and back to add and subtract
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on counting on and back to add and subtract and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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