Top 5 Math Resources For Your First Grader

First-grade math is an exciting time to watch your child grow. First graders learn foundational math skills including addition and subtraction, telling time, place value, number sense, and geometry!

According to GreatSchools, at age six, children begin to have a better understanding of an adult’s perspective. The cause and effect that is learned through math skills in the first-grade help a child begin to understand how to use math in everyday life such as telling time or counting money. 

Many researchers encourage practicing math at a young age because it teaches children logic and reasoning.

“Math builds reasoning, which leads to comprehension,” Dr. Jie-Qi Chen professor of Child Development at the Erikson Institute told GreatSchools. “Developing a mentally organized way of thinking is critical.”

Finding engaging and interactive ways to practice math outside of school is important for parents. Whether it is completing engaging worksheets, playing interactive games, or creating a math activity using household items, there are math resources to help your first grader stay on top of their skills.

Here are our top 5 math resources for first graders:

1. Free First Grade Math Worksheets

K5 learning provides printable worksheets for first graders that cover a variety of topics including counting, fractions, number patterns, telling time, addition and subtraction, geometry and the list goes on! These worksheets are great to supplement what your child is already learning in class or to refresh on a topic they learned earlier in the school year.‍

2. Free Math Coloring Worksheets

Does your child love to color? Education.com provides coloring math worksheets so your child can practice their subtraction and addition. Solving math problems leads to a colorful result! All you have to do is download the PDF, print it, and get out the crayons or colored pencils!

3. Games with engaging storylines

If your child loves online games or story-based video games, SplashLearn is the perfect place to combine gaming with math. Once you sign up as a parent, you can choose the grade your child is in and what it is you want your child to focus on. SplashLearn provides a range of math topics to choose from including addition and subtraction, place value and number sense, time and money, measurement and data, and geometry.

After choosing a topic for your child, there is an introduction to the game storyline, and your child is taken on an adventure where they solve math equations to move forward in the game. The game gives specific directions for your child to listen to and follow, also making it a great opportunity to practice listening skills. The game may give your child the satisfaction of knowing that solving math problems will help them reach a goal.

SplashLearn also gives parents the option to receive reports on their child’s progress.

4. Fun, quick math games

Don’t have time for a long game or is your child looking for something fast-paced? Education.com provides many interactive games where you solve math equations as quickly as you can to win. Each game is tailored to a grade level and practices math skills such as addition and subtraction, telling time, counting, number patterns, and geometry. 

5. Free Math Puzzles for First Graders

If you find that math worksheets aren’t very engaging for your child, you may want to try math puzzles. Math puzzles are a great way for your child to practice their thinking skills along with their math skills. Math Salamanders provides math puzzles specifically designed for different grade levels. You can print a PDF of the puzzle along with the answer key. Each puzzle specifies the skill learned from doing the puzzle including reasoning, logic, addition, number sense, and addition facts. 

Bonus. Math Activities for First Graders

Our children often spend a lot of time looking at screens. Sometimes it is nice to take a step away from computer games and get creative with technology-free activities from We Are Teachers. Some of these activities may remind you of practicing your math skills when you were in elementary school. These activities practice counting, addition and subtraction, telling time, place value, and geometry. The activities range from using toys and objects around the house to using UNO as a way to compare numbers. It can be fun for your child and the whole family!

Looking for live teaching and interaction?

ZipSchool can help! If your child is interested in learning more about topics not typically taught in schools that kids are highly curious about, consider using ZipSchool. ZipSchool runs live, online, after-school classes for students ages 4-9. Each class has 5 students, lasts 35 minutes, and is taught by a trained ZipSchool Teacher. We focus on topics not typically focused on in schools like space, robotics, dinosaurs, history, and more. 

Children are grouped by age and receive more individualized attention throughout the class. Sign up for your first class here!