Mathematics Addition & Subtractionusually ages 4–6

Representing Addition and Subtraction

Represent addition and subtraction using objects, drawings, and mental images

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Use cubes or counters to show 3 + 2
Draw a picture to represent a subtraction situation
Use fingers to model an addition problem

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

If your child has 3 apples and you give them 2 more, can they show you how many there are altogether — using their fingers, some small objects, or a drawing?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Addition as combining or putting together twoages 4–6Representing addition with objects/drawings requires understanding what addition means

Subtraction as taking away or separatingages 4–6Representing subtraction with objects/drawings requires understanding what subtraction means

Representing Addition and Subtractionthis skill · ages 4–6

Unlocks

Addition and subtraction word problemsages 4–6Solving word problems within 10 requires ability to represent the operations with objects/drawings

Real-World to Maths Connectionsages 5–6Representing addition/subtraction with objects and drawings is the core exercise of early quantitative reasoning

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9MFN05high confidenceFoundation · Number

represent practical situations involving addition, subtraction and quantification with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies

AC9M2A02high confidenceYear 2 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with addition facts to 20; extend and apply facts to develop related subtraction facts

AC9M2N04medium confidenceYear 2 · Number

add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences and solve using part-part-whole reasoning and a variety of calculation strategies

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MAE-RWN-01high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1

MAE-CSQ-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2MFN05medium confidenceMathematics · Foundation · Number strand

VC2M2M02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Measurement strand

VC2M2A02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Addition and subtraction word problemsages 4–6 Addition as combining or putting together twoages 4–6 Number bonds to 9ages 4–6 Numbers up to 10 into pairsages 4–6

All Addition & Subtraction skills →