Math is everywhere—from counting apples at the grocery store to measuring ingredients in the kitchen. When I taught first grade, my students didn’t even know we were “doing math”; we were just having fun playing games and solving real world problems!
It’s so important that your first grader grasps foundational skills and has a positive experience with beginning math. So what do first graders need to know and do?
In first grade, children begin to develop a deeper understanding of numbers, patterns, and problem-solving and usually enjoy the practical applications of math. They start working with addition, subtraction, place value, and basic geometry, laying the foundation for future math success.
The absolute best way to help your first grader learn math is through engaging, hands-on activities that make learning fun and interactive. Here are 10 effective ways to support their math skills at home!
1. Count Everything!
Counting isn’t just a skill—it’s the building block of future math success! You can help your child develop a strong number sense by counting real objects throughout the day. By thinking aloud, you can model how much you use math every single day.
- Count steps as you walk up or down.
- Count toys when putting them away.
- Count snacks or table items while setting the table.
- Count a specific color car while going for a drive.
- Count the number of animals/pets you see on a walk.
- Count how long it takes your child to complete a simple task. Timing something makes it a challenge, especially if you join the fun!
For extra fun, try skip counting (counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s) to introduce early multiplication concepts.
2. Use Hands-On Math Manipulatives
First graders learn best by doing, so introduce hands-on materials to help them see math in action.
- Use cubes, beads, candies, or coins for counting, adding, and subtracting. It doesn’t get much better than M & M math!
- Introduce place value concepts by bundling groups of ten with straws or popsicle sticks. Regrouping is an abstract concept, so most children need lots of practice seeing how to break apart or put together ones, tens, and hundreds.
- Stack LEGOs or blocks to practice one-to-one correspondence and measurement.
When children touch and manipulate objects, they develop a stronger understanding of numbers.
3. Play Math Board Games
Turn math into family game night and take a break from electronic devices! Board games reinforce number skills, counting, and strategy—all while making math fun. So dig into the game closet and see how many of these games you already own!
- Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Qwirkle, and Candy Land build counting and number recognition.
- Uno, Dutch Blitz, and Rummikub strengthen number matching and sequencing.
- Yahtzee introduces early multiplication and probability.
- Monopoly Jr. strengthens counting and money skills.
Games take the pressure off, making math less intimidating and more enjoyable!
4. Make Math a Part of Storytime
Books aren’t just for reading comprehension—they can bring math to life!
- Read math-focused books like The Doorbell Rang (sharing and division) or One Odd Day (odd and even numbers).
- Ask questions like these: “We have six cookies and three friends. How many can each friend have?” and “If you have five pop-its and share two with a friend, how many do you have left?”
- Let your child create their own math story problems.
Mary, a math student I tutor, LOVES to build with Legos. As we worked through fractions, we made math time meaningful by creating Lego themed story problems.
By integrating math into storytelling and problem solving, kids see numbers in a fresh way.
5. Teach Addition and Subtraction with Objects
Instead of memorizing math facts, use real objects to show how numbers work.
- Use snacks: “You have 5 crackers. If I eat 2, how many are left?”
- Use linking cubes: These are useful for learning addition and subtracting and understanding regrouping.
- Play “What’s Missing?”: Show a group of items, remove some, and ask how many are left. After you model how to do this, let your child choose their favorite items and test your math skills!
- Use toys like Lego figures, stuffed animals, or dolls to act out simple math problems.This could be adding toys together, having some toys “leave” to subtract, or giving a certain number of items to each figure to practice multiplication.
By making addition and subtraction visual, children grasp the concepts faster.
6. Introduce Money and Basic Financial Skills
Understanding money is a real-world math skill that first graders love to explore.
- Let them sort and count coins to build number sense. Make or buy a “piggy” bank that they can access to practice counting coins.
- Set up a pretend store where they “buy” items using real or play money. You could use items around the household or let them actually save up coins to buy something, like an ice cream cone, or an item at the Dollar Store.
- Have them pay for small items at the store to practice counting change. As they become more proficient, help them figure out how much change they will receive.
- Let them earn money doing small chores around the house. They not only learn to count, but also learn the value of saving!
- Create word problems with characters or items they enjoy. They can calculate how much money they need to save to buy their favorite toys.
Learning about money reinforces addition and subtraction in a way that makes sense to them.
7. Use Cooking and Measuring for Math Fun
The kitchen is full of math opportunities—and kids love to help and enjoy the results!
- Let your child measure ingredients to introduce fractions and measurements. Have your first grader help make pancakes or chocolate chip cookies. Math practice + tasty treats = unforgettable learning!
- Talk about halves, quarters, and wholes while cutting sandwiches or fruit. Siblings and friends naturally compare the size of their treats, so let them practice fractions while they compare!
- Ask comparison questions: “Which container holds more?” Ask for their guess and then let them actually manipulate items or pour liquid (with some adult guidance) to test their estimate.
Cooking helps children apply math to real life, making it more meaningful. It may take a little longer and be a bit messier, but the pay off in math learning and quality time together is worth it!
8. Explore Math Outdoors
Fresh air and active learning go hand in hand! Take math outside and make it an adventure.
- Go for a walk or bike ride and estimate how many minutes it will take to reach a destination. Calculate how long you can spend at a park or playground or how many times they can go down the slide or swim across the pool in two minutes.
- Collect and count leaves, rocks, or flowers. Use items from your nature walk to make a journal, write a story, or create an art collage.
- Use sidewalk chalk to write numbers and draw shapes and patterns.
- Play hopscotch, jump on a trampoline, or jump rope while skip counting.
Physical movement helps strengthen number fluency while keeping kids engaged.
9. Make Math Fun with Songs and Rhymes
Music helps build memory and number fluency.
- Sing classic counting songs (Five Little Ducks, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, This Old Man).
- Use skip-counting songs to reinforce number patterns.
- Clap or stomp to add variety to counting practice-an added benefit = more oxygen to the brain!
When learning is set to music, it becomes easier to remember and more fun!
Setting learning to music is helpful for all learners, but some children thrive with a musical/active connection. Kylie, a math student of mine, struggles to remember her basic facts, but if we set her problems to music or add a dance move, then she makes the connection and accurately solves her math problems.
10. Consider an Online Math Tutor for Extra Support
If your child struggles with number sense, problem-solving, or math confidence, or if your child is above grade level and needs an extra challenge, an online math tutor can provide personalized instruction in a fun and engaging way.
- One-on-one tutoring helps reinforce math concepts at your child’s pace.
- Interactive lessons make learning more enjoyable and stress-free.
- Tutors use games, real-life examples, and hands-on activities to build confidence.
At Savvy Learning, our expert tutors make math fun, interactive, and frustration-free, giving your child the tools they need to succeed in first-grade math!
Final Thoughts
Helping your first grader learn math doesn’t have to be just monotonous drills and memorization—instead, focus on play, exploration, and real-world experiences!
- Count everything and make numbers a part of daily life.
- Use hands-on activities, games, and interactive learning to reinforce skills.
- Be patient and keep math fun—confidence grows when kids enjoy the process.
📚 Looking for extra support? Contact Savvy Learning today to learn how our online math tutors can help your child develop a strong foundation in math—while keeping learning fun and engaging!
