Ages 6–7 · England · Parent guide
Year 2 maths: equal groups, place value and times tables
By Mathsonaut Team · Reviewed
Year 2 brings more work with two-digit numbers and equal groups. Children begin to connect multiplication with repeated addition and division with sharing or grouping. A drawing of the groups can reveal an idea that a written calculation hides. Give your child time to explain the picture before asking for a quicker answer.
What children explore in Year 2
- Understand tens and ones in two-digit numbers; compare and order numbers to 100.
- Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20 and use these to help with larger calculations.
- Recall the 2, 5 and 10 times tables and related division facts.
- Recognise halves, thirds and quarters, use money, and tell time in five-minute steps.
Selected topics from the mathematics programme of study for England. This is an overview, not the full curriculum or a test of readiness. Your school may teach topics in a different order.
See multiplication in an array
Four rows have 5 counters in each. How many counters altogether?
- Draw four rows, putting exactly five counters in every row.
- Count the rows in fives: 5, 10, 15, 20. This is 5 + 5 + 5 + 5.
- Write 4 × 5 = 20. The same array also has five columns of four, showing 5 × 4 = 20.
A common mix-up: adding the group numbers
An answer of 9 to 4 × 5 can mean your child has added 4 and 5. Ask them to point to the four groups and then the five objects in one group. Count all the objects to connect the two numbers to their different jobs.
Away from the screen
Build a toy picnic
Give four toy guests five pretend snacks each. Draw or use blocks for the snacks. Ask your child to check that every guest has the same amount, then collect all twenty and share them equally between the four guests again. This connects multiplication and division using the same objects.
Ask together: “If twenty snacks are shared equally between four guests, how many does each get?”
Choose the next small step
Try groups of two or ten before changing to five. Once your child can build and explain the groups, cover the picture and see which facts they can recall. Keep the picture available whenever they need to check.