Enhancing Subtraction Skills Among Kindergarten Learners: A Hands-on Approach Using Bundle of Stick

The inception of standard-based mathematics curricula has underscored the variety of students’ backgrounds and learning abilities, posing noteworthy challenges for teachers, particularly in promoting foundational mathematical skills such as subtraction. This study investigates the use of practical teaching aids, specifically bundles of sticks, to improve subtraction skills in Kindergarten. Learners in Kindergarten were involved in the study. The study sought to identify students’ difficulties when learning subtraction and evaluate the effectiveness of using physical teaching resources to address these challenges. Pre-test and post-test results revealed a notable improvement in student performance, with 57.9% achieving a passing score after the intervention compared to 23.7% before the intervention. Observations highlighted that the visual and tactile nature of the bundle of sticks method significantly enhanced pupils’ conceptual understanding of subtraction. However, challenges such as difficulties in managing the sticks were identified, leading to recommendations for interactive learning tools in early-grade mathematics education to bridge foundational gaps in numeracy.