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Maths skills for age 6

A clear guide to the main maths ideas children often meet around age 6, including number bonds to 10, counting in 2s 5s and 10s, place value to 100, addition facts.

Quick answer

By the end of this page, you'll know the main maths skills that children usually learn around age 6, including number bonds to 10, counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s, place value to 100, and basic addition facts.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:
  • Recognise and use number bonds to 10
  • Count in 2s, 5s, and 10s up to 100
  • Understand place value for numbers up to 100
  • Add numbers up to 20 using different strategies
Success signs:
  • You can quickly say what number makes 10 with another number
  • You can count forwards and backwards in 2s, 5s, and 10s
  • You can split a number like 45 into tens and ones
  • You can add two small numbers using fingers or objects

Why this matters

These maths skills are important because they form the foundation for everything else you'll learn in maths. Knowing number bonds helps you solve bigger problems quickly. Counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s makes multiplication easier later. Understanding place value helps you read and write bigger numbers. Adding numbers up to 20 helps you work out how many toys you have or how much money you need.

How it works

Let's look at each skill one by one. First, we'll start with number bonds to 10. Then we'll move to counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. Next, we'll explore how numbers are made up of tens and ones. Finally, we'll look at adding numbers up to 20.

Examples you can see

Let's start with number bonds to 10. This means pairs of numbers that add up to 10.
Number Number that makes 10
0 10
1 9
2 8
3 7
4 6
5 5
6 4
7 3
8 2
9 1
10 0
Try counting in 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. Try counting in 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100. Try counting in 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100. Now, let's look at place value. The number 45 has 4 tens and 5 ones. The 4 is in the tens column and the 5 is in the ones column. If you have 34 apples, you have 3 groups of ten apples and 4 single apples.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a treasure hunt to find the maths in your home! You are looking for:
  • Something that comes in groups of 2 (like socks)
  • Something that comes in groups of 5 (like fingers on one hand)
  • Something that comes in groups of 10 (like coins in your pocket)
  • Two numbers that add up to 10 (like 7 and 3)
Look around your house and find these things. Count them and write down what you found. This is like a maths treasure hunt!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 6 + 4 = 10, but then saying 6 + 5 = 10.
    Why it happens: Children often think that 6 + 4 = 10 is the only way to make 10.
    Fix: Show that 6 + 5 = 11, and 6 + 4 = 10. Practice with different pairs.
  • Mistake: Counting 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 but forgetting that 30 is 3 tens.
    Why it happens: Children may know the sequence but not understand what each number means.
    Fix: Use objects like counters or blocks to show that 30 is 3 groups of 10.
  • Mistake: Saying that 45 is 4 tens and 5 ones, but then saying 45 is 5 tens and 4 ones.
    Why it happens: The position of digits can be confusing.
    Fix: Use place value charts or draw lines to separate tens and ones.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers, here's how to help your child learn these skills in just 5-10 minutes:
  • Use everyday situations like sharing snacks or counting toys to practice number bonds
  • Play counting games while walking to school or during car rides
  • Use coins to show how 10p, 20p, 30p, etc., work
  • Use blocks or counters to show place value
  • Don't worry if your child makes mistakes – they're part of learning
  • Encourage your child to explain their thinking
  • Keep it fun and short – 10 minutes is enough
  • Use games and songs to make it memorable

Practice questions

  1. What number makes 10 with 7?
  2. Count in 2s to 20
  3. Count in 5s to 50
  4. Count in 10s to 100
  5. What is 3 tens and 4 ones?
  6. What is 6 + 9?
  7. What is 8 + 7?
  8. What is 12 + 5?
  9. What is 15 + 4?
  10. What is 10 + 10?
Answers:
  1. 3
  2. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
  3. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50
  4. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
  5. 34
  6. 15
  7. 15
  8. 17
  9. 19
  10. 20

FAQ

What are number bonds to 10?

Number bonds to 10 are pairs of numbers that add up to 10. For example, 3 + 7 = 10 and 5 + 5 = 10.

Why is counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s important?

Counting in these ways helps you learn multiplication later. It also makes it easier to count large numbers quickly.

How can I help my child understand place value?

Use objects like blocks or counters to show how many tens and ones are in a number. For example, 23 is 2 tens and 3 ones.

What is the best way to practice addition?

Use real-life examples like sharing toys or counting snacks. You can also use fingers, counters, or drawings to help.

How can I make maths fun for my child?

Turn maths into games, use songs, play counting games, and find maths in everyday life. Keep it short and positive.