Age 6 guide to place value to 100

Quick answer

Learning outcome

• Split numbers from 1 to 100 into tens and ones
• Use place value to help you count and compare numbers
• Recognise which digit shows how many tens and which shows how many ones
• Build numbers using tens and ones blocks or drawings

Why this matters

• Count larger numbers easily
• Know which number is bigger or smaller
• Do addition and subtraction more quickly
• Understand how money works (like 35p = 3 tens and 5 ones)
• Learn how to read and write numbers from 1 to 100

How it works

• The ten's digit tells you how many groups of ten there are
• The one's digit tells you how many ones are left over

Take the number 47.

• 4 is the tens digit – that means 4 groups of ten (40)
• 7 is the ones digit – that means 7 ones (7)
• So 47 = 40 + 7

Examples you can see

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt

You are going on a treasure hunt! You have a map with clues that tell you how many tens and ones to count. Here’s how it works:

1. First clue: "Walk 3 tens and 4 ones"
2. Second clue: "Jump 7 tens and 2 ones"
3. Third clue: "Run 9 tens and 1 one"

Can you work out how many steps to take for each clue?

1. 3 tens and 4 + 4 = 34 steps
2. 7 tens and 2 + 2 = 72 steps
3. 9 tens and 1 + 1 = 91 steps

Now, if you start at 0, you can follow the clues to find the treasure!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 52 means 5 tens and 2 ones, but confusing the order.
  Why it happens: It's easy to mix up which digit is tens and which is ones.
  Fix: Always say “tens digit” and “ones digit” to remember which is which.
• Mistake: Counting 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 as 10 ones.
  Why it happens: Kids often forget that 10 ones make 1 ten.
  Fix: Use real blocks or drawings to show 10 ten.
• Mistake: Not knowing that 0 in the tens place means no tens.
  Why it happens: The zero can be confusing.
  Fix: Say “0 tens means no tens, just ones” and use examples like 07 = 7.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child understand place value doesn’t need to be hard. Here are 5 simple ways to support them:

1. Use everyday objects: Count toys, buttons, or pasta pieces and group them into tens and ones.
2. Draw it out: Draw tens as groups of 10 dots or sticks, and ones as single dots.
3. Play with numbers: Give your child a number like 64 and ask them to build it with blocks or draw it.
4. Ask questions: “What does the 6 mean in 64?” or “How many tens are there?”
5. Be patient: It takes time to get used to place value, so don’t rush.

Practice questions

1. Split the number 37 into tens and ones.
2. What number is 5 tens and 8 ones?
3. Which number has 9 tens and 2 ones?
4. How many tens and ones are in 60?
5. Split 100 into tens and ones.

Answers:

1. 3 tens and 7 ones
2. 58
3. 92
4. 6 tens and 0 ones
5. 10 tens and 0 ones

FAQ

What is place value?

Place value is how we know what each digit in a number means. In a two-digit number, the first digit is tens and the second is ones.

Why do we need to know place value?

Place value helps us count, compare, and work with bigger numbers. It’s the foundation for addition, subtraction, and all maths you’ll learn later.

How can I practice place value at home?

You can use objects like counters, blocks, or even pasta. Try splitting them into groups of ten and seeing how many ones are left over.

What if my child gets confused with 0 in a number?

It’s normal to get confused! Remember, 0 tens means no tens. For example, 04 is just 4. Use visual aids to show this clearly.

Is place value the same for all numbers?

Yes, it works for any number. For three-digit numbers, there’s also a hundreds place, but the idea is the same: tens and ones.