Homeschool Math Curriculum: What to Teach at Each Age
A homeschool math curriculum for ages 5 to 12 should move from counting and number sense, to addition and subtraction, to multiplication and division, and then to fractions, decimals, measurement and geometry. The outline below shows what most school curricula cover at each age, so you can plan with confidence. Every child moves at their own pace, so use it as a guide, not a deadline.
Key principles before you start
- Understanding first, speed second. Use objects, drawings and real-life problems before moving to written methods.
- Little and often. Short daily practice builds fluency far better than long weekly sessions.
- Master, then move on. If a skill is shaky, spend more time on it. Gaps in early number sense cause problems later.
- Talk about math. Ask “How did you work that out?” Explaining strengthens understanding.
Math by age at a glance
| Age | Key skills | Free games to practice |
|---|---|---|
| 5–6 | Counting to 20 and beyond, recognizing numbers, comparing groups, simple adding and taking away, 2D shapes, patterns | Count with Me, Shape Explorer |
| 6–7 | Counting to 100, number bonds to 10 and 20, addition and subtraction within 20, halves, o’clock and half past, coins | Number Bonds, Addition Adventure |
| 7–8 | Place value to 100 and 1,000, adding and subtracting two-digit numbers, 2, 5 and 10 times tables, quarter past and to, money | Place Value Quest, Money Match |
| 8–9 | Written addition and subtraction, 3, 4 and 8 times tables, division as sharing, simple fractions, time to 5 minutes, measuring | Times Tables Challenge, Measure It! |
| 9–10 | All times tables to 10 × 10 or 12 × 12, rounding, equivalent fractions, area and perimeter, graphs, angles | Rounding Rally, Fraction Pizza |
| 10–11 | Multiplying and dividing larger numbers, decimals, fractions of amounts, factors and multiples, data and graphs | Factors, Multiples & Primes, Graph Detective |
| 11–12 | Fractions, decimals and percentages, order of operations, prime numbers, area of shapes, angles, problem solving | Fractions, Decimals & Percentages, Angle Ace |
Ages 5–6: building number sense
Count everything: steps, spoons, toys. Practice counting forwards and backwards, recognizing numbers to 20, and saying which group has more or fewer. Introduce adding as “putting together” and subtracting as “taking away” with real objects. Name flat shapes and spot patterns around the house.
Ages 6–7: number bonds and early calculation
Number bonds (pairs that make 10, such as 7 and 3) are the key skill at this age. Once children know them by heart, adding and subtracting within 20 becomes much easier. Start telling the time to the hour and half hour, and use real coins. Printable addition within 20 and subtraction within 20 worksheets are useful for written practice.
Ages 7–8: place value and first times tables
Understanding that the 4 in 45 means four tens unlocks bigger calculations. Use bundles of straws or base-ten blocks. Learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, and practice counting in 2s, 5s and 10s with Number Patterns. Tell the time to quarter past and quarter to.
Ages 8–9: times tables and written methods
This is a big year for multiplication. Add the 3, 4 and 8 times tables, and introduce division as the reverse of multiplication. Move on to written column methods for addition and subtraction once mental strategies are secure. Start simple fractions such as halves, quarters and thirds of shapes and amounts. Our guide on how to learn times tables sets out a proven order.
Ages 9–10: fluency and fractions
Aim for quick recall of all times tables. Practice rounding, equivalent fractions and measuring area and perimeter. Read and draw bar graphs and tables. Try the Area & Perimeter game for practice.
Ages 10–11: larger numbers and decimals
Children learn to multiply and divide larger numbers, work with decimals, find fractions of amounts and explore factors and multiples. Problem solving becomes more important: ask your child to explain their steps and check whether answers make sense.
Ages 11–12: preparing for secondary math
Connect fractions, decimals and percentages, work with the order of operations, and solve multi-step problems. Strong mental math makes everything faster, so keep up short daily practice with the Daily Math Challenge or Speed Math.
How to check progress
Every month or two, choose a few questions from earlier topics and see what your child remembers. If a skill has faded, revisit it briefly. If something is consistently hard, slow down and go back a step. Some families also get occasional help from a tutor for a fresh explanation of a stubborn topic; Success Tutoring is one option if you want extra support.
Frequently asked questions
What math should a homeschooled child learn first?
Start with counting, recognizing numbers and comparing amounts, then number bonds to 10 and 20. These early number skills are the foundation for addition, subtraction and later times tables.
Do I need to follow my country's curriculum for homeschool math?
It depends on local rules. Many places do not require it, but following a similar order makes it easier if your child returns to school or sits exams later.
How long should homeschool math take each day?
Around 15 to 20 minutes for ages 5 to 7, 30 to 45 minutes for ages 8 to 10, and 45 to 60 minutes for ages 11 to 12, including quick practice.
When should children know their times tables?
Most curricula expect quick recall of all times tables by around age 9 to 10, building up from the 2, 5 and 10 tables at about age 7.