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Number Bonds to 10: Split and Build with Dotty the Ladybird

Number Bonds to 10: Split and Build with Dotty the Ladybird

Learn number bonds to 10 by building and splitting groups of apples, fingers, ten frames and part-whole pictures with Dotty the ladybird.

  • Ages 4–6
  • About 40 min
  • Easy start
  • Numbers
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What you'll learn

  • Every number to 10 can be split into two smaller parts
  • The whole stays the same when objects are moved or spread out
  • Show numbers 6 to 9 as 5 and some more on fingers
  • Read a ten frame and find how many more make 10
  • Use a part-whole model to work out a hidden part
  • Find all the ways to make 5 and spot the pattern

Chapter by chapter

  1. Build and split groups: numbers are made of parts Free to try

    Reception maths · 1 Reception maths · 2 Reception maths · 3

  2. Fingers: making numbers to 10 on two hands

    Reception maths · 2 Reception maths · 1

  3. Ten frames: seeing the parts of numbers to 10

    Reception maths · 2 Reception maths · 1

  4. Part-whole pictures: the whole and its two parts

    Reception maths · 2 Reception maths · 1

  5. All the ways to make a number: spot the pattern

    Reception maths · 3 Reception maths · 2 Reception maths · 1

  6. Number parts challenge: have a go! (8 questions)

What the chapters cover in the national curriculum in England:

  1. Reception maths: Explore the composition of numbers to 10
  2. Reception maths: Have a deep understanding of numbers to 10, including the composition of each number
  3. Reception maths: It is important that children develop positive attitudes and interests in mathematics, look for patterns and relationships, spot connections, 'have a go', talk to adults and peers about what they notice and not be afraid to make mistakes

About this adventure

Number Bonds to 10 is an interactive maths game that teaches children aged 4–6 how each number up to 10 is made of two smaller parts, matching the EYFS Reception goals for number composition. Dotty the ladybird narrates every step and captions appear on screen, so children can play before they read confidently.

Children shake apples from a tree and share them between baskets, raise fingers on two hands, flip red and yellow counters on a ten frame and drag counters into a part-whole model. Along the way they meet the words whole and part, see 7 as 5 and 2, and work out how many are hiding when they know the whole and one part.

There is no timer. Children are encouraged to have a go, look for patterns and talk to a grown-up about what they notice, and mistakes are treated as part of learning.

Questions and answers

What are number bonds to 10?

Number bonds are pairs of numbers that join together to make a total, such as 3 and 2 making 5. Number bonds to 10 can mean every pair inside numbers up to 10, or the pairs that make exactly 10, like 6 and 4.

What is a part-whole model in maths?

A part-whole model is a picture with one big circle for the whole number and two smaller circles for its parts. If the whole is 6 and one part is 4, children can work out that the other part must be 2.

Why do children learn to see numbers as 5 and a bit?

Seeing 6 to 9 as 5 and some more helps children recognise amounts quickly without counting one by one. One full hand or one full row of a ten frame shows 5, so 7 is easy to spot as 5 and 2.

What age is this number bonds game for?

It is designed for children aged 4 to 6 and follows the EYFS Reception framework for maths. Older children who are still unsure how numbers to 10 split into parts can also use it for gentle practice.

How long does the number bonds game take to play?

Playing everything takes about 40 minutes, but each of the five chapters works on its own in roughly 5 to 10 minutes. There is also a short challenge at the end with no timer, and children can start with any chapter.

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