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Khan Academy Kids Maths

Where is data hiding in Khan Academy Kids early graphs?

Make picture charts from favourite characters or activities.

Quick answer

In Khan Academy Kids, data hiding in early graphs means using picture charts to show information about your favourite things, like characters, toys, or activities. You can find the data by counting the pictures and seeing what's more or less popular.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to make and read simple picture charts to show what you like best – like your favourite animals, foods, or games – and understand which items are chosen most or least. Success signs:
  • You can draw a picture chart with different pictures for each item
  • You can count the pictures to find out which is chosen most
  • You can explain what the chart shows
  • You can ask others to share their choices and add to your chart

Why this matters

Graphs and charts help us see information quickly, just like looking at a picture to understand what's happening. In Khan Academy Kids, picture charts are a fun way to show what you like best. You can use these charts at home, school, or even with friends to compare choices. This helps you think about data and how it can tell us stories.

How it works

Picture charts are simple ways to show information using pictures. Each picture stands for one item or one choice. Here’s how to make one:
  1. Decide what you want to find out – like “What’s your favourite snack?”
  2. Choose your items – for example, apples, bananas, and cookies
  3. Draw one picture for each choice
  4. Count how many times each item is chosen
  5. Put the right number of pictures under each item

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re making a chart about your favourite animals. You ask your family to pick one animal they like best.
Animal Pictures
Cats
Dogs
Birds
In this chart:
  • Cats are chosen the most (3 times)
  • Dogs are chosen second (2 times)
  • Birds are chosen least (1 time)
You can also make a chart for your favourite games at home:
  • Building blocks – 4 times
  • Playing with toys – 3 times
  • Reading books – 2 times
This chart helps you see what you enjoy doing most.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Data Detective You are a detective trying to find out what your family likes best. You have a mission to collect data and make a chart. 1st time: Ask your family members to pick their favourite snack. You can use apples, crackers, or cheese. 2nd time: Draw one picture for each snack choice. 3rd time: Count how many pictures you drew for each snack. 4th time: Look at your chart and decide which snack is the most popular. 5th time: Ask a friend to do the same and compare charts. This adventure helps you understand how to collect data and show it in a chart.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Drawing too many pictures for one choice.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get excited and draw more than needed.
    Fix: Count your choices first, then draw the correct number of pictures.
  • Mistake: Not using the same picture for each choice.
    Why it happens: Sometimes children draw different things for the same item.
    Fix: Use the same picture for each item so it’s easy to count.
  • Mistake: Mixing up which item is chosen most.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get confused when counting.
    Fix: Count each row carefully and compare them.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Asking your child to explain what their chart shows
  • Encouraging them to count the pictures carefully
  • Using everyday topics like snacks, toys, or games to make charts
  • Letting them lead the activity to build confidence
  • Practising with simple questions like, “Which picture is the most?”
It’s important not to correct them too quickly. Let them make mistakes and learn from them. The goal is to have fun and understand data in a simple way.

Practice questions

  1. Draw a chart showing your 3 favourite drinks. How many pictures will you draw for each?
  2. Which item in your chart has the most pictures?
  3. How many people chose your least favourite item?
  4. What does your chart show about your choices?
  5. If you asked 5 more people, what would happen to your chart?
Answers:
  1. You draw one picture for each drink you like
  2. It’s the one with the most pictures
  3. Count the pictures under that item
  4. It shows what you like best
  5. It would get bigger and might change which is most popular

FAQ

What is a picture chart?

A picture chart uses pictures to show information. Each picture stands for one choice or one item.

Why do we use charts?

Charts help us see information quickly. They make it easier to understand what people like best or what is happening.

Can I make charts with my friends?

Yes! You can ask friends to choose their favourite things and make charts together.

What if I make a mistake in my chart?

That’s okay! Mistakes help you learn. You can fix them by counting again or starting over.

How can I use charts at home?

You can make charts for your family’s favourite foods, games, or pets. It’s a fun way to share and compare choices.