Picture addition, step by step

The very first addition a child understands is counting real things.

The question
+ =

6 + 3

••••••+•••
hold:6count on:3
••••••+•••
6 + 3 =9
  1. Both groups are there to be counted, and counting all of them from 1 is what most people do first. There is a shorter way that also works when the numbers get too big to draw.
  2. Hold 6 in your head and count the other 3 on from there, instead of going back to 1.
  3. 6, then 7, 8, 9 — 9.

How it works.

  1. 01

    Both groups are there to be counted, and counting all of them from 1 is what most people do first. There is a shorter way that also works when the numbers get too big to draw.

  2. 02

    Hold 6 in your head and count the other 3 on from there, instead of going back to 1.

  3. 03

    6, then 7, 8, 9 — 9.