Q&A for How to Teach Subtraction

I'd pick some kind of fun object and use that to introduce the concept. Some kind of toy or interesting object, or an item you could use to keep children focused while you're explaining how subtraction works.

Manipulatives. It's the practice of using any kind of physical object, like a block or chess piece, to demonstrate an educational premise.

A number line can be an easy and visual way to show them how it is done.

There is no difference, other than dealing with an extra column of numbers in three-digit subtraction.

Subtraction is nothing than reducing something or removing something from something else. It is opposite of addition which combines and merges numbers.

Use physical objects. For example, start with five blocks, then take away three blocks, leaving two.

You can have the child do simple word problems. Or, you can create your own subtraction activities.

You can estimate a subtraction problem by rounding it to the nearest tenth or hundred. Then, subtract.

Count down from 8. Also, you can draw a number line and move two units to the left from 8.

4 year olds might find subtraction easier to learn through food. If you had x number of (favorite desert), but then someone ate a few, how many would you have left? Or you could try and teach them the number line. It's a super easy tool used in kindergarten, and teach them the basic math facts.