Problem Solving
Year 2Week 8
Year 2 Problem Solving Worksheets
5 worksheets across 1 week
Our free Year 2 Problem Solving worksheets bring together place value, addition, subtraction, and reasoning skills in challenging contexts for children aged 6-7, fully aligned to the England National Curriculum. Problem solving is at the heart of mathematical learning. It is not enough for children to perform calculations accurately; they must also be able to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations, explain their thinking, and work through multi-step challenges. These worksheets develop exactly those skills. The 5 worksheets provide one week of focused daily problem-solving practice. Across the five days, children encounter a rich variety of question types including number clue puzzles, spot-the-mistake problems, multi-step challenges involving numbers to 100, and open-ended questions that require children to construct their own mathematical arguments. Each day presents a different blend of problems, ensuring children experience the full range of reasoning demands. Every worksheet follows our three-section format. Fluency questions in this topic focus on applying known facts in slightly unfamiliar ways, rather than straightforward calculation. Word problems are more complex than in the number-focused topics, often requiring two or more steps and careful reading. Reasoning challenges ask children to explain their thinking in words, compare different methods, or decide whether a given answer is correct and justify their decision. Parents can support problem-solving skills by encouraging their child to talk through their thinking aloud. When your child encounters a tricky question, resist the urge to give the answer and instead ask guiding questions such as what do you know already and what could you try first. Teachers can use these worksheets as an end-of-unit assessment, a reasoning-focused lesson, or as extension material for children who are ready for a greater challenge. Children who complete this topic will demonstrate the ability to apply their Year 2 number skills to solve non-routine problems, explain mathematical reasoning clearly, identify and correct errors, and tackle multi-step challenges with confidence. These higher-order thinking skills are a key focus of the National Curriculum and are heavily weighted in the KS1 SATs reasoning paper.
Problem Solving
Week 8
Problem Solving
Year 2Week 8
Problem Solving
Year 2Week 8
Problem Solving
Year 2Week 8
Problem Solving
Year 2Week 8
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is problem solving important in Year 2 maths?
- Problem solving helps children apply their mathematical knowledge in new and unfamiliar situations. It develops reasoning skills, the ability to explain thinking, and builds confidence with multi-step problems — all essential skills for the Year 2 national curriculum.
- How do I help my child with maths problem solving?
- The most important thing you can do is encourage your child to talk about their thinking. When they face a tricky problem, ask them what they already know, what the question is really asking, and what they could try first. Resist the temptation to give the answer straight away. Instead, let your child struggle a little, as this is where genuine learning happens. If they get stuck, suggest they draw a picture, use objects to model the problem, or re-read the question carefully. Celebrate the process of working through a challenge, not just getting the right answer.
- What problem-solving skills are tested in the KS1 SATs?
- The KS1 SATs include a dedicated reasoning paper that tests problem-solving skills directly. Children may need to solve two-step word problems, find missing numbers, explain whether a statement is true or false, interpret information from tables or charts, and work through multi-step challenges. These questions require children to read carefully, select the right operations, and show or explain their working. Our problem-solving worksheets are specifically designed to develop these skills through varied, challenging questions.
- How many questions are in each problem-solving worksheet?
- Each worksheet contains between 8 and 12 questions across fluency, word problem, and reasoning sections. In this topic, even the fluency questions require careful thinking, as they involve applying number skills in less straightforward ways. Word problems are multi-step, and reasoning questions ask children to explain, justify, or evaluate. Each worksheet takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.