Subtract a Number with Valentine Pictures (Black & White) — Kindergarten

A group of hearts, roses and a card sits beside a minus sign and a written number on every row, with the answer left blank. The child counts the pictured set first, then takes the number away to say how many valentine pictures are left. It is subtraction with one foot in counting and one foot in symbols: the picture keeps the meaning concrete while the numeral starts the move toward written take-away, and the small totals let a kindergartner check every answer by counting.

Taking a written number away from a group you can count is a real milestone for a five-year-old. It is where counting back begins — starting from the pictured valentine pictures and stepping down by the number — and where a child first feels that a numeral is just a quick way of writing an amount they could have crossed out by hand.

Children who enjoy valentine pictures (black & white) settle into this quickly once crossing-out feels easy, and it suits a calm independent task. When this feels easy, take some away in subtract a number with vegetables, or try subtract a number 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.