Picture addition is a wonderful in-between step from counting real objects to adding written numbers on paper. Draw or print simple cards: a group of two apples, next to a group of one apple, with a blank space to write the answer.
- First have your child count each group of pictures separately, out loud.
- Then ask them to count everything together to reach the total.
- Write the plus sign (+) and the sum together in the blank space.
- Repeat with different groups of fruits or animals to keep it fun.
This activity builds a visual understanding of addition as combining two quantities, before your child later moves on to working with abstract numbers without picture support.
