Have you ever noticed your kid staring at numbers like 42 or 17 and saying, ‘That’s a big number’? For young kids, numbers beyond ten can feel confusing. That’s where the concept of tens and ones helps; it breaks big numbers into simple parts that make sense.
In this blog, we will show you how you can use this approach to help your kid learn counting in tens and ones in a way that’s not only clear but also fun.
What is Counting in ‘Tens and Ones’?
Before kids understand place value, they need to see that numbers are made up of parts. For example :
The number 12 means one group of ten and two extra ones.
The number 35 means three tens and five ones.
This idea might sound big for small kids, but when taught through stories, visuals, and play, it becomes something they can understand and enjoy. Learning tens and ones helps kids make sense of how numbers grow, how to group objects, and eventually, how to add and subtract with ease.
Why It Matters?
Understanding tens and ones lays the groundwork for so many things, like addition, subtraction, mental math, and even multiplication later on. But beyond that, it helps kids feel confident when they look at numbers.
Instead of saying, ‘That’s too big, they start saying, ‘That’s two tens and three ones. ’ I can count that.
The 3H Way to Learn Tens and Ones
HEART : Connect with Stories and Emotions
Young kids learn best when they feel connected to what they are learning. That’s why we bring numbers to life through characters and stories in our math comic books. So, polish your brain to create interesting stories that explain this concept. If you find it difficult, then we at Uncle Math Lab are here to help.
For example, in our counting in tens and ones story named ‘Uncle Science and his Farm’, kids visit Uncle Science’s farm and learn a new technique to count faster. Kids begin to see how ten ones make a ten and how numbers like 24 are just two bundles of ten with four left behind.
Click the link below to get Uncle math Lab’s fascinating math comic book that explains the concept of counting in tens and ones.
Stories like these make kids feel curious and involved. They start to care about what’s happening and feel proud when they can count and bundle just like the characters in the story.
HAND : Learning by Moving and Doing
Kids love to touch, move, and build. That’s why we include activities with every comic chapter that let them create and explore numbers with their hands.
Whether they are bundling straws into groups of ten, stacking building blocks, or sorting coins into piles, they are learning that numbers can be grouped, counted, and built.
Some favorite activities from our comic book series include :
Making ten towers with playing blocks
Collecting ten different objects, like pencils, spoons, or stickers, and placing the rest in a separate pile
When kids physically build tens and ones, they start to see and feel how numbers work. And more importantly, they remember it.
Check out a few enjoyable activities from Uncle Math Lab for your kids that involve counting in tens and ones.
HEAD : Understanding How Numbers Work
Once kids are emotionally engaged, they are ready to think about what’s really going on. This is where we help them make sense of the math.
In our Uncle Math Lab’s math comic books, kids begin to understand that numbers are not just words to memorize; they represent groups and pieces.
For example, when they see that 25 can be shown as two towers of ten blocks and five loose blocks, they begin to recognize patterns and understand place value naturally.
Ask questions like :
What number comes after one group of ten and two ones?
If I give you five more buttons, can we make another ten?
These little moments help kids form a strong understanding without ever needing to memorize.
An extensive bag of practice problems, interactive games based on the concepts of counting in tens and ones and solved worksheets by Uncle Math Lab to practise this concept is only a click away!
At Uncle Math Lab, we believe that math should feel like play, not pressure. That’s why our math comic books are based on the 3H Approach of Heart, Head, and Hand, a way of teaching that blends storytelling, thinking, and hands-on activities to help kids truly understand what they are learning.
What Makes Uncle Math Comic Books Special?
Our math comic books aren’t just about learning numbers. They are about creating joy in learning. Every chapter is built around the 3H Approach :
❤️ Heart : Engaging stories and lovable characters that connect with kids emotionally
🤚 Hand : Fun, hands-on activities that let them explore through doing
😃 Head : Clear visuals and simple logic that help them understand how math works
It’s a gentle and natural way for kids to fall in love with math, without pressure, without fear, and without ever feeling bored.
Ready to Start the Journey?
If your kid is beginning to explore numbers beyond ten, now is the perfect time to introduce them to the world of tens and ones through our math comic books. With the right story, a little time, and some simple activities, your kid can build a deep understanding that will last for years. Because when math is felt from the heart, understood in the head, and explored with the hands, it becomes a part of who they are. Explore our entire range of Math Comic Books by Uncle Math Lab for kids ( 3 to 6) now!
