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How can I help my child with fractions?

Quick answer

Fractions start in Year 1 with halves and quarters of shapes and amounts, and build each year: thirds and three quarters in Year 2, tenths and equivalent fractions in Year 3, decimals in Year 4, mixed numbers and percentages in Year 5, and in Year 6 adding fractions with different denominators, multiplying two fractions and dividing a fraction by a whole number. Pizza, chocolate bars and sharing sweets are the best teaching tools at home.

By the TapLearn team · Updated 30 October 2026 · Facts checked 30 October 2026 · For England

What children learn, year by year

  • Year 1: a half and a quarter of a shape, an object or a group (half of 8 sweets is 4).
  • Year 2: a third, a quarter, two quarters and three quarters, and seeing that two quarters is the same as a half.
  • Year 3: tenths, fractions of amounts, simple equivalent fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator, such as 2/7 + 3/7.
  • Year 4: families of equivalent fractions, hundredths, and decimal equivalents such as 1/4 = 0.25 and 1/2 = 0.5.
  • Year 5: comparing fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions (1 2/5 = 7/5), multiplying a fraction by a whole number, and percentages.
  • Year 6: simplifying, adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, multiplying fractions together, dividing a fraction by a whole number, and linking fractions, decimals and percentages.

The two words that help most

  • The denominator (bottom number) says how many equal parts the whole is cut into.
  • The numerator (top number) says how many of those parts we have.

The most common mix-up is thinking 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 "because 8 is bigger". Cutting a pizza into 8 makes smaller slices than cutting it into 4, and seeing that is worth more than any rule.

Ideas for home

  • Share food fairly. "Can you cut the toast into quarters? Are they equal?"
  • Find fractions of amounts. "There are 12 grapes. Half for you, a quarter for me. How many each?"
  • Use a chocolate bar or Lego bricks to show that 2/4 and 1/2 are the same amount.
  • Cook together. Half a cup, three quarters of a teaspoon, double the recipe.
  • Talk about time. Quarter past, half past, quarter to.
  • Older children: spot percentages in shop sales, and turn them into fractions (50% off is half price).

Questions parents ask

When do children learn fractions at school?

From Year 1, with halves and quarters. Fractions are taught in every year of primary school after that, building up to adding fractions with different denominators and multiplying fractions together in Year 6.

How do I explain equivalent fractions?

Show the same amount cut in different ways: half a pizza is the same as two quarters or four eighths. The pieces change, but the amount doesn't.

Why does my child think 1/8 is bigger than 1/4?

Because 8 is bigger than 4. Cutting the same thing into more pieces makes each piece smaller, and showing that with real food usually clears it up.

When do children learn decimals and percentages?

Decimals start in Year 4 (tenths and hundredths) and percentages in Year 5. Year 6 links fractions, decimals and percentages together.

Sources

Related guides

Written by the TapLearn team for parents and carers in England. Schools teach in different orders and ways, so your child's teacher is always the best person to ask about your child. Spotted something out of date? Please email us at [email protected].