KindergartenMathmedium
Take Away Numbers
Take Away Numbers — Subtraction worksheet for Kindergarten.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Solve subtraction problems with single-digit numbers (up to 10) by removing or 'taking away' objects
- Represent subtraction situations using concrete objects, drawings, or fingers to visualize the 'take away' process
- Identify the starting amount, amount taken away, and remaining amount in subtraction word problems
- Apply the concept that subtraction means making a group smaller by removing items from it
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Before starting, gather small objects like buttons, cereal pieces, or blocks. Explain that this worksheet is about 'taking away' and making groups smaller.
- Step 2: Work through the first problem together. Count out the starting number aloud with your child, then physically remove the amount being taken away, and count what remains. Say the subtraction sentence: 'We had ___, we took away ___, now we have ___.'
- Step 3: For problems 2-5, guide your child to use the objects while you write or they write the answer. Let them lead the 'taking away' action while you ask guiding questions like 'How many do we start with? How many are we taking away? Count what's left.'
- Step 4: For problems 6-10, encourage your child to try the 'taking away' action first with objects, then write or tell you the answer. If they struggle, return to using objects without rushing to the written answer.
- Step 5: After completing all 10 problems, review the answers together. Ask your child to explain one problem in their own words: 'Show me how you took away and found your answer.'
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use physical objects like blocks, counters, or snacks while your child works through each problem. Let them physically remove items from a group and count what's left — this concrete experience is essential for K students to internalize 'take away.' Avoid jumping straight to written problems without manipulatives.
Watch for the common mistake of children recounting the entire group instead of just counting what remains. Coach them to say 'I started with 8, I took away 2, now I count what's left: 6.' Use language like 'how many are left?' rather than 'how many did you take away?' to keep focus on the answer.
At medium difficulty for kindergarten, some problems may have larger starting numbers (8-10). If your child struggles, temporarily work with smaller numbers (3-5) to build confidence, then gradually increase. Speed is not the goal — accurate understanding of 'taking away' is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for kindergarteners to use objects when learning subtraction?
At the kindergarten level, children are concrete thinkers who learn best through hands-on experience. Using objects (counters, blocks, snacks) allows them to physically see and feel the 'take away' action. This builds a strong mental foundation for subtraction before they can work with abstract numbers. Without this concrete stage, children often memorize answers without truly understanding what subtraction means.
My child can count backwards but still struggles with these subtraction problems. Why?
Counting backwards is a different skill from understanding subtraction. A child might count '10, 9, 8, 7...' but not connect this to 'starting with 10 and removing 3 leaves 7.' For the 'take away' concept, your child needs to physically remove a quantity and count what remains. Try separating the objects into two groups (the 'taken away' pile and the 'leftover' pile) so they see the remaining amount clearly.
What should I do if my kindergartener can't remember basic number facts from these problems?
Memorization is not the goal at this stage — understanding 'take away' is. If your child can explain how they found the answer using objects, that's success. Repetition with objects will naturally lead to some memorization over time, but forcing flashcards often backfires with kindergarteners. Continue practicing with manipulatives, and trust that the mental math will develop naturally through repeated, hands-on experiences.
How do I know if my child is ready for medium-difficulty subtraction problems?
Your child is ready if they can: (1) count reliably to 10, (2) count a small group of objects accurately, and (3) understand that removing something makes a group smaller. Medium difficulty for K typically means starting numbers up to 10 and taking away 1-5 items. If your child struggles with these, spend more time on simpler 'take away' problems with numbers 1-5 before advancing to this worksheet.
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