Our Program

How It Works

🎯

Pick a Topic

Choose from counting, shapes, addition, subtraction, place value, measurement, and more.

✏️

Answer Questions

Children solve simple, colorful multiple-choice math questions made for young learners.

💵

Earn Pretend Money

Kids get instant feedback and earn pretend money for every correct answer.

🛒

Spend Rewards

Use pretend money in the Play Store to buy toys, pets, accessories, and other fun prizes.

🧮 Hands-On Math Toolbox

Every quiz includes an interactive Math Toolbox with the same manipulatives used in classrooms. Children can model their thinking, count, compare, build numbers, and solve problems on screen.

🧱

Base 10 Blocks

Build ones, tens, and hundreds.

📋

Ten Frame

Practice counting, making 10, addition, and subtraction.

📏

Number Line / Number Path

Hop forward, hop backward, count, compare, and solve addition or subtraction problems.

📊

100 Chart

Explore number patterns, counting, and skip counting.

🔴

Counters

Model groups, compare amounts, and solve basic problems.

🔘

Number Bonds

Break numbers into parts and understand addition and subtraction.

💰

Play Money

Practice coins, bills, and simple money skills.

🕐

Analog Clock

Learn time using a classroom-style clock.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

FirstStepMath was created by Heather Ross, the author and founder of FirstStepReading.com. Heather has spent years developing fun, effective learning tools for young children. After building FirstStepReading to help kids learn to read, she created FirstStepMath to give families the same high-quality, free practice for early math skills.

Yes — 100% free, always. There is no credit card required, no subscription, and no ads. Every grade level, every topic, and every tool is available at no cost.

Common Core Math is a set of learning standards used in most U.S. states that defines exactly what math skills children should know at each grade level. The standards focus on deep understanding — not just memorizing answers — so kids learn why math works, not just how to get the right answer. FirstStepMath aligns every question to these standards so children practice the right skills for their age.

When practice is aligned to Common Core standards, you can be confident that your child is working on exactly what their teacher is teaching in school. It removes guesswork for parents and gives kids targeted practice — not random worksheets, but the specific skills mapped to their grade.

FirstStepMath covers Pre-K through Grade 1 — the foundational years for math. Topics include counting, shapes, patterns, addition, subtraction, place value, measurement, money, time, and more.

Every correct answer earns your child 5¢ in pretend money. They can save it up and visit the Play Store to "buy" virtual pets, toys, and accessories. It's a motivational reward system — no real money is ever involved. Everything stays saved in the browser so their balance is always there when they come back.

The Math Toolbox is a built-in set of interactive manipulatives available during every quiz. It includes Base 10 Blocks, a Ten Frame, Number Line, 100 Chart, Counters, Number Bonds, Play Money, and an Analog Clock — the same tools teachers use in classrooms. Children can open the toolbox at any time to model a problem before answering.

Yes — a FREE account is needed. Children can then jump right in and answer questions immediately. Creating a free account lets them save their progress and pretend money balance across devices.

FirstStepMath works on any device with a web browser — computers, tablets, Chromebooks, and smartphones. No app download needed. It is designed to be touch-friendly for young learners on tablets.