How many jellybeans?

Count out sets of small objects to give your child practice with addition and subtraction.

You'll Need

  • Small objects such as jellybeans, pasta pieces, pennies or beads

Learning Stages

Explain to your child that to add means to put together. Count out sets of small objects, such as jellybeans, with your child. Point to each object as you say: I have one . . . two jellybeans. Now I add one . . . two more. Let's count and find out how many we have in all.

Next, have your child use the process you’ve just modeled to count out and combine sets up to 10. Reverse the procedure, beginning with the total and taking one, two or three away from the set. Ask how many are left.