Kindergarten Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten math in the Saskatchewan Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- NK (NK.1–NK.5): Say the whole number sequence by 1s starting anywhere from 0 to 10 and from 10 to 0. Recognize, at a glance, and name familiar arrangements of 1 to 5 objects, dots, or pictures. Relate a numeral, 0 to 10, to its respective quantity. (and 2 more outcomes)
- PK (PK.1): Demonstrate an understanding of repeating patterns (two or three elements).
- SSK (SSK.1–SSK.3): Use direct comparison to compare two objects based on a single attribute. Sort 3-D objects using a single attribute. Build and describe 3-D objects.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Count everyday things out loud: stairs, grapes, steps to the car.
- Sort laundry or toys into groups, then ask which group has more.
- Spot shapes on a walk: circles on signs, rectangles on doors.
- Make patterns with snacks or blocks (red, blue, red, blue) and let your child continue them.
What each unit covers
Count to 10
Counting objects one at a time, matching numbers to amounts, counting on and back, putting numbers in order, and knowing that nothing is zero.
Make 5 and 10
Using 5 and 10 as anchors (fingers, five and ten frames), finding how many more make 5 or 10, and breaking numbers into two parts.
More, Less, Same
Comparing groups by matching them one to one, seeing equal as balanced and unequal as unbalanced on a scale, and reading simple picture graphs.
Patterns
Spotting the part that repeats in patterns like AB, AAB, ABB and ABC, then predicting what comes next or what is missing.
Shapes & Sizes
Naming flat shapes and solid objects by one feature (sides, corners, rolls or not), and comparing things by size, height, length, weight and how much they hold.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Meeting is the goal for every outcome. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exemplary
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Saskatchewan report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Kindergarten child with math?
Count everyday things out loud: stairs, grapes, steps to the car. Sort laundry or toys into groups, then ask which group has more. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Kindergarten math in Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan Curriculum Kindergarten math units include count to 10, make 5 and 10, more, less, same, patterns, shapes & sizes.
Free printable Kindergarten math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.