Addition and subtraction

Standard symbolic calculations arise directly out of the preceding ones, children's previous knowledge and understandings combining to support simple calculations with small numbers and quantities.

Addition Jax (5 years, 2 months) was adding grapes. By using dots (an iconic form), reinforced by the numerals '6' and '4', Jax implied numerals or quantities. This can be read as '6 and 4 = ten', Jax having written the initial letter of 'Ten' Taxonomy: Calculations – children's own methods: symbolic operations with small numbers; explorations with signs and symbols   The Maths: Addition
	Numerals only Peter (5 years, 9 months) (also adding grapes) has  abbreviated his calculation, which, when  read aloud, can be understood as '4 - 3 = 1.' Taxonomy: Calculations - children's own methods: symbolic operations with small numbers; explorations with signs and symbols The Maths: Subtraction
More grapes: dots and numerals Mary (5 years, 4 months) used a combination of iconic and symbolic responses, with the minus and equals symbols implied and denoting '6 - 3 = 3.' Taxonomy: Calculations - children's own methods, symbolic operations with small numbers; explorations with signs and symbols The Maths: Subtraction