When some go away, there are fewer. 4 birds sit in a row. 1 flies away. How many are left? 3!
Key idea
Taking away makes fewer. Count what is left.
For the grown-up: Act it out with snacks: “You have 4 crackers. You eat 1. How many now?” Cover the ones that went away with your hand and count the rest. Keep screen time short: two or three problems, then play.
- Try it at home: Eat snacks one by one and count what is left.
- Sing a counting-down song.
- Hide some blocks under a cup and count the rest.