Subtraction with Valentine Pictures (Black & White) — Kindergarten

Subtraction starts as taking away, and that is exactly what each row asks. A small set of hearts, roses and a card is shown; the child crosses out the ones that leave and counts what is left behind. Because the whole action happens in pictures the child can mark, the meaning — fewer than we started with — stays right in front of them. Amounts are kept within ten, so every answer can be checked by counting the valentine pictures that remain.

Crossing out is a small action with a big idea behind it: a quantity can be made smaller, and we can say exactly how much is left. Doing it with pictured valentine pictures keeps the idea concrete and self-checking, which is precisely what take-away subtraction should be at five and six — seen and done, not memorised.

Children who enjoy valentine pictures (black & white) take to crossing out quickly, and it works as a calm hands-on task or a whole-class action on the board. When this feels easy, take some away in subtraction with vegetables, or try subtraction with household things. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole valentine pictures collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.