Khan Academy Kids Maths
Where is reasoning hiding in Khan Academy Kids problem solving?
Use gentle puzzles that ask children to try, check and explain.
Quick answer
Reasoning in Khan Academy Kids problem solving is hiding in puzzles that ask children to try different solutions, check their work, and explain their thinking. It's not just about getting the right answer – it's about understanding how you got there.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to use try, check, and explain thinking to solve maths problems, just like in Khan Academy Kids. Success signs:- You can try different ways to solve a maths problem.
- You can check your answer to make sure it makes sense.
- You can explain your thinking to a friend or grown-up.
- You feel more confident when you don’t know the answer straight away.
Why this matters
Problem-solving with reasoning helps you become a better thinker, not just a calculator. In school, you’ll use this when working on word problems, puzzles, and projects. In games like Khan Academy Kids, you’ll find that the puzzles are not just about right or wrong – they’re about how you think. This kind of thinking will help you in real life too – like when you need to decide how many cookies to share with friends or how to plan your day.How it works
Here’s how you can use reasoning in maths problems:- Try it: Think of a way to solve the problem. Try one idea.
- Check it: See if your answer makes sense. Does it fit the problem?
- Explain it: Tell someone how you solved it. Why did you choose that way?
Examples you can see
Let’s look at a simple problem from Khan Academy Kids and see how you can use reasoning: Problem: There are 5 birds on a tree. 3 fly away. How many birds are left? Try it: You might think, “I’ll count backwards from 5.” So, 5, 4, 3. That leaves 2 birds. Check it: You can count the birds again. Or add 3 and 2 to see if it equals 5. It does, so your answer is right. Explain it: “I counted backwards from 5 because 3 flew away. I went 5, 4, 3, and that left 2 birds.” Another example: Problem: I have 4 red apples and 3 green apples. How many apples do I have altogether? Try it: You could count all the apples one by one, or add 4 + 3. Check it: Count them again or use your fingers. 4 + 3 = 7. That’s the same as 7 apples. Explain it: “I added 4 and 3 because I wanted to know how many apples I had in total.”Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Mystery Box You are a detective and you find a mysterious box. Inside the box, there are 6 toy cars and 4 toy trucks. You need to figure out how many vehicles are in the box. Step 1: Try to solve the problem. What do you think the answer is? Step 2: Check your answer. Count all the toys again or use a number line. Step 3: Explain your thinking. Did you count them all? Did you add them? Step 4: Now, imagine you found 3 more toy trains in the box. How many vehicles are there now? Step 5: Try again, check again, and explain again! This kind of detective thinking helps you learn how to solve problems, not just get the right answer.Common mistakes
- Mistake: Jumping straight to the answer without trying a few ideas.
Why it happens: You might feel rushed or think you already know the answer.
Fix: Take a deep breath and try one idea first. Then check it. - Mistake: Not checking your answer even when it feels wrong.
Why it happens: You might be scared of being wrong.
Fix: Remember, checking is a helpful step, not a punishment. - Mistake: Not explaining your thinking.
Why it happens: You might think it doesn’t matter how you solved it.
Fix: Explaining helps you learn and helps others understand your thinking.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:- Encouraging them to try different ways to solve a problem.
- Asking questions like, “How did you figure that out?” or “Can you check that again?”
- Letting them explain their thinking, even if it’s not perfect.
- Not being afraid of wrong answers – they’re learning!
- Playing detective games together to build reasoning skills.
Practice questions
- There are 8 balloons. 5 pop. How many are left? Try, check, and explain.
- I have 6 pencils and 3 erasers. How many items do I have altogether? Try, check, and explain.
- There are 10 flowers in a garden. 4 are red, the rest are yellow. How many yellow flowers are there? Try, check, and explain.
- There are 7 stickers. I give 2 to my friend. How many do I have now? Try, check, and explain.
- There are 9 toys. 3 are cars, 4 are dolls, and the rest are blocks. How many blocks are there? Try, check, and explain.
- 8 – 5 = 3. Check: 3 + 5 = 8. Explain: I counted backwards from 8.
- 6 + 3 = 9. Check: Count all 9 items. Explain: I added the pencils and erasers.
- 10 – 4 = 6. Check: 4 + 6 = 10. Explain: I took away the red flowers.
- 7 – 2 = 5. Check: 5 + 2 = 7. Explain: I took away 2 stickers.
- 9 – 3 – 4 = 2. Check: 3 + 4 + 2 = 9. Explain: I subtracted the cars and dolls.
FAQ
What does it mean to reason in maths?
Reasoning means using your thinking to solve problems, not just guessing or memorising. It's like being a detective who figures out how things work.
Why is it important to explain how you solved a problem?
Explaining helps you understand your own thinking and helps others learn from you. It also helps you find mistakes more easily.
Can I use this method in other subjects?
Yes! This try-check-explain method works in science, reading, art, and even games. It helps you think through anything you need to solve.
What if I don’t know how to start?
That’s okay! Try a simple idea first. Even if it doesn’t work, it helps you learn and get closer to the right answer.
How can I practice this at home?
Play detective games, solve puzzles, and ask your child to explain how they solved a problem. You can even make up silly stories with numbers in them!