::Early addition/subtraction::

Addition

“Addition is the putting together of two or more sets of objects (or numbers) and finding the total. The concept of addition as combining two or more sets and finding the total will be acquired, and the accepted method of recording will be used” (Biggs and Sutton, 1983, p.35).

For examples:

There are 4 tennis balls in the box. Erinne puts 5 more tennis balls in the box. How many tennis balls are there in the box? 

4 + 5 = 9

These are the examples of task sheet that the teacher could use to encourage the children's learning about addition:

Taken from: Irons, R.R. (2003). Growing with Mathematics: Student Book. Chicago: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill.(page 48)

Taken from: Irons, R.R. (2003). Growing with Mathematics: Student Book. Chicago: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill.(page 69)

These task sheets require the children to count the amount of the objects in the pictures that will help them improving their addition skills.

Subtraction

“The concept of subtraction as:1. Taking away from one set, 2. Comparison of two sets, will be required, and the appropriate language patterns and accepted methods of recording will be used” (Biggs and Sutton, 1983, p.42).

• Taking away situation

“The most familiar of the three language patterns is that for the ‘take away’ situation in which the starting point is one set of objects from which objects are removed, used, or taken away. The language in this activity refers to taking away one set and having some objects left” (Biggs and Sutton, 1983, p.42).

For example:
There are 12 lollipops on the table. Joshua takes 3 lollipops away. How many lollipops left on the table?
12 - 3 = 9

• Comparison situation

“In these situations the starting point is two sets which remain unchanged throughout the operation. The comparison of the two sets (or two qualities) is the stage where subtraction is applied” (Biggs and Sutton, 1983, p.42).

For example: 
Amani has 6 marbles. Nani has 4 marbles fewer than Amani. How many marbles does Nani have?
6 - 4 = 2

This is the example of task sheet that might help the children to learn more about subtraction:

Taken from: Irons, R.R. (2003). Growing with Mathematics: Student Book. Chicago: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill.(page 87)

This task sheet requires the children to find the 'missing amount' by giving the total and the other amount as clues. This activity is quite challenging, yet it will provide opportunity to the children to improve their subtraction skills.