Wondering how to teach numbers to your toddler? Don’t know where to begin from; Check out this extensive guide on various activities to teach numbers and counting to toddlers and preschoolers, Best books to teach numbers, best educational toys to teach numbers and much more questions answered for you
Numbers are everywhere. Our little children may have never been formally introduced to numbers but apparently, they do have some idea about numbers. So, teaching numbers will not be a daunting task for you. In this post, we are sharing some fun, easy, and exciting ways to teach numbers to toddlers and preschool children.
Here are 2 products you would love to teach Numbers and counting
- This activities book . You can get this at special discount here
- These reusable cards – Use them as many time you want. You can get this at special discount here
What Is The Right Age to Teach Numbers
You can start teaching numbers to your child anytime after their first birthday. Do remember that it should be fun learning through activities and regular household items and chores.
You can even start teaching number recognition to kids after 2.5 years. Please do not rush to teach numbers to kids. Your child can learn to count and identify numbers till 20 before Kindergarten.
So please note counting and number recognition are two different steps in learning numbers. Usually, we start with counting first followed by number recognition.
At What Age Should a Toddler Recognize Numbers?
There is no benchmark for this; each child is different, so this varies from one kid to another.
Few kids are able to recognize number as young as 12 months. but believe me there is no rush. You can start with introducing counting to young kids and usually in Preschool (i.e. 2.5 year onwards) activities are done to help toddlers recognize numbers.
Math importance in Preschool or early years
Many parents wonder what is the importance of Math in preschool or early years. Believe me Mathematics plays a major role in a child’s development as Math is everywhere.
Math is not only about numbers but also about various shapes, comparing sizes, ordering and comparing objects, identifying and creating patterns, grouping and sorting objects by characteristics and counting objects in daily life.
Mathematics helps children develop problem solving skills, provides spatial awareness understand shapes and figures, etc.
Children learn from their surroundings, their learning happens every moment, as they are absorbing and processing information. It is important that this information is provided in the right way and context to build math skills.
Researchers have also said that early math skills are better indicators of future academic success.
How to Help your Child Develop Early Math Skills
It is not tough to help your child develop early math skills or contribute to your child’s numeracy skills. Here are some tips that can help
1. Talk about numbers and quantities in everyday life
2. Let your child investigate and experience things via number based activities and play
3. Sing songs and rhymes as some kids find them easy to remember
4. Help your child with right tools (it could be toys, everyday material, worksheets, books or activities books) to learn new concepts and apply their knowledge
5. Include your toddlers in day-to-day activities including those that involve numbers, shapes and patterns.
6. Use real world scenarios to let kids learn. Encourage kids to think and use their reasoning skills to derive cause and effect relationships.
What are the key math skills in preschool
Preschoolers are expected to know counting from 1 to 10. They should be able to tell- big and small, larger and smaller number. They should easily be able to count objects shown to them.
Number Sense
This refers to the ability to count forward for younger kids or backwards for elder kids. Also for older kids in KG it also means number relationships like addition and subtraction
Number Representation
Number representation is to be able to quantify or represent numbers. for example what does 4 mean in real life – to be able to count and relate 4 wheels of the car with number 4. or to be able to arrange 8 blocks for number 8 and so on.
Spatial Sense
Spatial sense is to be able to have an ability to recognize, visualize, represent and transform geometric shapes. For younger kids like toddlers its the idea of introducing shapes, size, position, space, direction and movement.
Measurement
Measurement is the ability to be able to find length, height and weight. For older kids measurement of time (minutes) also falls in this category.
Estimation
This is the ability to be able to make a good guess in terms of amount and size. For younger kids they are able to tell which object is longer, smaller, shorter, taller, heavy or light
Patterns
Patterns are things that repeat in a logical way. So it could be a pattern of numbers, images, shapes. Patterns helps kids in thinking critically and making logical connections.
Problem Solving
Problem solving is the ability to find one solution or may be different solutions to a problem at hand. For toddlers arranging stacking toys or shape sorting are simple example of problem solving.
Math skills – Age by age learning skills – What to expect
- Babies can understand simple cause and effects and very simple sorting
- Toddlers can usually understand what numbers mean for eg 2 toys, some may be able to say numbers. Toddlers usually start recognizing shapes and can play with shape sorters. Toddlers love transferring activities so can understand full and empty. They can also start seeing patterns.
- Preschool children can count up to 10 and beyond. They can recognize numbers. They can understand colours, shapes and sizes. They can sort and classify things and can use spatial awareness to solve simple puzzles. Preschoolers can estimate what is short, tall, big and small. They do understand cause and effect and thus relationships.
- Kindergarten kids ( 5-6-year-old or above) can identify and write numbers. They can tell before, after, and between numbers. They can start with simple addition and subtraction. They can understand advanced patterns and can solve a little difficult spatial awareness puzzles.
How to teach numbers to toddlers
To teach numbers to toddlers the best way is to involve them in hands on learning. Here are few ways how to teach numbers to toddlers
- Modeling counting
- Playing with Number toys
- Reading Number books
- Easy number songs for preschool
- Number activities for toddlers and preschoolers
- Hands on Activities and Fun Number games for teaching number
- Teaching numbers via various life skills activities (Waldorf method)
As we have discussed before teaching numbers to toddlers means teaching them counting, number recognition or identification and being able to say their name and association of number with quantity for eg 2 with 2 blocks and so on.
I have also listed multiple activities ideas below that you can introduce to your kid
Introduction to Numbers – Modeling Counting
The simplest way to teach numbers is by modeling; when you say how many bananas do you want, or how many balls do you have? or Mumma will have 2 chapatis or cookies, you are introducing them to numbers.
Since children see and hear numbers everywhere it isn’t challenging to teach counting to children. Counting is putting numbers in a sequence, or to be able to count a given number of things. They are listening to these numbers all the time, even when we talk about days and time it is in numbers.
SOE store has number counting worksheets for kids designed to make the kids familiar with numbers 1 to 20 and counting in a fun way. It contains many activities to practice counting till 20, find the missing numbers and join the numbers in series.
Best Number Toys for Toddlers (Learning and Educational Counting Toys)
Ring Stacker
Ring stacker is a great toy for kids above 1 year. You can use it for counting, color identification and also makes them aware of varying sizes.
Little's Plastic Junior Ring (Multicolour) (6 pieces)
- Little's junior ring is an attractive educational toy which helps your baby recognize different colours and sizes while having fun stacking them in order
- Little's junior ring helps your baby naturally develop concepts of colour, shape and size through fun filled play activity
- Little's junior ring is an attractive educational toy which helps your baby recognize different colours and sizes while having fun stacking them in order
- Little's junior ring helps your baby naturally develop concepts of colour, shape and size through fun filled play activity
- Helps in developing the finger skills of the baby
- Vibrant colors and attractive designs make this toy, an engaging and informative play tool ; Type: Junior Ring ; Ideal For: Boys and girls
Shumee Wooden Number and Shape Sorter
Shumee Wooden Number and Shape Sorter -This numbers & shapes sorter wooden house comes with numbers 0 to 9 & has 7 shapes that are easy to hold by a toddler. this wooden house also has a clock on one side.
Teaches mathematic skills, shapes and helps in improving fine motor skills.
Shumee Handmade 4-in-1 Shape Sorter Toy For Kids-1+Years | Learn Alphabets, Time,...
- Numbers & shapes sorter wooden house with 6 colorful panels, 3 wooden bars and screws with drop in openings for numbers 0 to 9 & 7 easy to grip shapes. Introduces preschoolers to basic concepts like addition, subtraction, and time as they play with the + and – signs and learn to combine digits.
- Numbers & shapes sorter wooden house with 6 colorful panels, 3 wooden bars and screws with drop in openings for numbers 0 to 9 & 7 easy to grip shapes. Introduces preschoolers to basic concepts like addition, subtraction, and time as they play with the + and – signs and learn to combine digits.
- Skillset: Teaches math's & concepts of time. Encourages creativity, problem-solving, sensory & fine motor skills.
- Suitable for ages: 18 months+, Easy to carry
- Handcrafted in India: 100% eco-friendly wooden and bright natural, non-toxic, water-based paints, child safe. No batteries, no plastic. Tested and Certified by ASTM international toy standards.
- Store all numbers and shapes within the house. Size:18 x 15 x 15 (cm)
Fisher Price counting animal friends
This multifunctional book by Fisher-Price is loaded with exciting lights and sounds, including a playful sing-along song about counting and animals.
Fisher-Price Plastic Laugh & Learn Counting Animal Friends Book, Multicolor
- Science: sing-along songs and sounds introduce your baby to the friendly animals they see and the fun sounds those animals make
- And with its easy-carry handle, your baby can take their favorite read wherever they go and where development comes into play early literacy . Product includes 4 pages
- Science: sing-along songs and sounds introduce your baby to the friendly animals they see and the fun sounds those animals make
- And with its easy-carry handle, your baby can take their favorite read wherever they go and where development comes into play early literacy . Product includes 4 pages
- Every flip of the page is loaded with friendly faces and exciting lights and sounds, including a playful sing-along song about counting, animals and more
- The laugh and learn counting animal friends is the perfect first book for your little reader
- Turning the pages and pressing the sun to activate the exciting lights and sounds introduces your baby to the fun of cause and effect play
- As your baby carries, flips and reads their book, they see how fun reading books will be
Laugh and Learn Click Instant Camera
Laugh and Learn Click Instant Camera by Fisher-Price is a pretend Camera that comes with sound and light. a perfect educational toy for your toddler.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Click Instant Camera Learning Toy with Lights, Music...
- Pretend camera with light, music, and sounds for early role-play fun!
- Playful songs, sounds, and phrases introduce your baby to counting, the alphabet, and more? Press the shutter button to “snap” Puppy’s photo, then push the picture back in to reset
- Pretend camera with light, music, and sounds for early role-play fun!
- Playful songs, sounds, and phrases introduce your baby to counting, the alphabet, and more? Press the shutter button to “snap” Puppy’s photo, then push the picture back in to reset
- Soft, easy-grasp handle, clicker spinner, and rattle beads for hands-on play? For babies ages 6-36 months
Games to Encourage Number Recognition
Some of our good old traditional games can be a great way to teach number recognition, and what more when they can easily learn while playing. There are several resources available on amazon to support learning.
Here we will be listing some of the best games to teach number recognition to preschoolers.
Number Recognition Games – Traditional Games
Hopscotch, Snakes and ladder, and playing cards are some common games that you can modify and use to teach number recognition to your preschooler.
CREATIVE's Educational Aids, Millennium Snakes & Ladders&Ludo, Kids
- 1.Counting- Practice to count 1 to 100
- 2. One- to- one correspondence- Numeral Recognition
- 3. Sequencing / Ordering of Numbers
- Basic Addition and Subtraction
- 1.Counting- Practice to count 1 to 100
- 2. One- to- one correspondence- Numeral Recognition
- 3. Sequencing / Ordering of Numbers
- Basic Addition and Subtraction
Wooden Number Train
Wooden Digital number train: This educational toy is perfect for children above 2 years of age. A perfect toy to teach counting and number recognition. It can be used as an open-ended toy ad used for many other self-derived games.
WISHKEY Wooden Learning Toy Numbers Educational Play Train with Sliding Wheels, Pre...
- The Box Contains - Wooden Digital Colourful Train with wooden train engines, 10 wooden trains with colorful 0-9 numbers on top.Each train has 4 sliding wheels which glide easily.Baby can pull a train connected to play on the ground
- The Box Contains - Wooden Digital Colourful Train with wooden train engines, 10 wooden trains with colorful 0-9 numbers on top.Each train has 4 sliding wheels which glide easily.Baby can pull a train connected to play on the ground
- Educational Toy - Wooden Digital Colourful Train, a classic childhood favoritehelps in teaching mathematical numbers, Recommended for Pre scholars , 3 Years+ Kids
- Colorful & Good Quality Wooden Toy - Brightly colored with fun stylish shapes, sturdy wooden assembling train.Perfect toy to boost a kids hand eye cordination & learning skills
- Safe For Kids - Classic construction and unique craftsmanship, natural wooden with non-toxic paints.It has smooth edges and is totally safe.
- Best Gift - Fun Activity wooden toys for toddlers keep curious hands busy and let kids explore and discover.All of our products are innovatively designed to inspire imaginative play and delight
Number & Beading Set by Skillofun
The Skillofun number and bead set is an aid that can teach little children the basics of counting numbers and number recognition in a fun way. This wooden set consists of 10 number tiles and 55 beads along with a string. Beading exercise also helps toddlers to work on their fine motor skills.
Skillofun Wood Number and Bead Set, Multicolor&Skillofun Number Learning Toys for 24...
- Product 1: Non-toxic eco friendly product
- Product 1: Puzzle
- Product 1: Wooden toys
- Product 1: Multi color
- Product 2: Non-toxic eco friendly product
- Product 1: Non-toxic eco friendly product
- Product 1: Puzzle
- Product 1: Wooden toys
- Product 1: Multi color
- Product 2: Non-toxic eco friendly product
- Product 2: Puzzle
- Product 2: Wooden toys
- Product 2: Multi color
Wooden Calculation Shelf/Abacus : This Abacus set is a must have. A perfect tool for letting them understand the concept of numbers and helps to even just learn by way of play and exploration.
Wooden Calculation Shelf | Abacus Counting Addition Subtraction | Maths Learning Early...
- Versatile Learning: This calculation shelf goes beyond basic counting. It introduces multiplication, division, and even fractions in an interactive and intuitive way.
- Interactive Design: Moveable beads and markers engage children in hands-on learning, making abstract math ideas tangible.
- Versatile Learning: This calculation shelf goes beyond basic counting. It introduces multiplication, division, and even fractions in an interactive and intuitive way.
- Interactive Design: Moveable beads and markers engage children in hands-on learning, making abstract math ideas tangible.
- Durable Construction: Built with robust, sustainable wood, this kit is designed to withstand enthusiastic play.
- Math Games: Included games and activities turn math practice into an exciting adventure.
- Educational Progress: As your child grows, so does the challenge level of this calculation shelf, making it suitable for years of educational development.
Workbooks by Little Genius
Another good product on Amazon is this set by Little Genius; this pack consists of engaging workbooks for Pre-schoolers children making learning counting and numbers fun and interactive.
Numbers & Logic: Kindergarten Workbook (Little Genius Series): Teaches Numbers, Numbers in...
- Learn Math
- Learn Logic
- Learn Logical Thinking
- Time & Money
- Learn Math
- Learn Logic
- Learn Logical Thinking
- Time & Money
Number wipe clean Cards by SOE
This is a very good learning tool that helps little children in problem-solving skills, writing, number recognition, visual discrimination, and pre-mathematic concepts. Perfectly suitable for 3year and above children.
These SOE store Reusable write, wipe, clean activity cards are perfect for preschoolers. Use this kit for counting and matching numbers. You can also use this for number puzzles, missing numbers, and sequencing activities. These are reusable mats so can be used multiple times.
Worksheets For Number Recognition
Worksheets can prove to be handy tools to aid number identification or number recognition. Also, worksheets make little kids feel not so little, as they use pencils/crayons/pens to mark on sheets. The set by SOE is perfect for pre-nursery and nursery kids, to introduce numbers.
Number Flash Cards
Hungry Brain Number Flash Cards perfect cards to teach numbers. Flashcards develop an interest in children to learn more. These flashcards are well designed, right-sized, and easy to use.
Hungry Brain Numbers Flash Cards for Kids I A5 Size, 24 Flash...
- PLAYFUL LEARNING CARDS FOR KIDS: Flash cards develop the love for learning in a fun and playful manner in kids. Things in My Home educational flash cards include names, vocabulary and concepts. This daily routine cards are perfect for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, nurseries, kindergartens, prek, and preschool. It is also helpful for children suffering from lack of speech, autism and dementia.
- PLAYFUL LEARNING CARDS FOR KIDS: Flash cards develop the love for learning in a fun and playful manner in kids. Things in My Home educational flash cards include names, vocabulary and concepts. This daily routine cards are perfect for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, nurseries, kindergartens, prek, and preschool. It is also helpful for children suffering from lack of speech, autism and dementia.
- SAFE AND QUALITY FLASHCARDS FOR BABIES: Hungry Brain large high quality durable and cleanable educational flashcards help in the learning for toddlers and preschool kids. These flashcards for infants have curved corners, are non-laminated, baby friendly and safe for kids
- GRASP ATTENTION & IMPROVE CONCENTRATION: Improve concentration through clear colored flashcards for toddlers that make learning fun without any barriers and help in kid’s brain development. The eye-catching attractive kid's flashcards grasp the attention of children to improve concentration power, creative thinking, and observational skills.
- VERSATILE FUN: Versatile vocabulary picture cards for babies, toddlers, kids and children. Easily encourage all learners to interact with the teacher and with other students, Perfect for baby development to strengthen and improve your kids vocabulary and language skills.
- BUILD UP MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION: Raise concentration through early learning flash cards for babies that develop the right brain memory of the baby and memory stored in the right brain stays for a lifetime. these stimulation flashcards help build memory and are highly entertaining for children as well as educators.
- PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR KIDS: These Early Learning Flashcards are perfect birthday gifts for infants, toddlers and preschool children to develop their brains
Kyds Play – Number Flash Cards
Kyds Play – Number Flash Cards The pack consists of 36 Double-sided Wipe & Clean Activity Cards. Your child can learn tracing, counting numbers, comparing different sizes of objects with some fun game cards.
KYDS Play - Numbers - Wipe and Clean Activity Flash Cards for...
- Contains 20 colourful monster shaped number flash cards. 16 double sided activity cards - counting game, tracing & comparing and finding number game.
- Skills Development: Pre-Math Skills, Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Fine Motor Skills
- Contains 20 colourful monster shaped number flash cards. 16 double sided activity cards - counting game, tracing & comparing and finding number game.
- Skills Development: Pre-Math Skills, Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Fine Motor Skills
- Each card is laminated and features rounded corners for long life and durability.
- Cards are 10cm x 14cm in size make them ideal for children’s small hands.
- Ideal gift for new born and toddlers.
Learning number with easy Number songs for preschool
Here are Some Fun Songs to teach Counting and introduce numbers
One and two
Buckle my shoe
Three and four
Shut the door
Five and six
Pick up sticks
Seven and eight
Don’t be late
Nine, ten
Do it over again!
One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right Ten little fingers, ten little toes,
Two little ears and one little nose
Two little eyes that shine so bright
And one little mouth to kiss mother goodnight.
Best Books To Teach Numbers and Counting to Toddlers and Preschoolers
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, is one of the best books for toddlers and preschool children to teach them counting and introduce them to numbers.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
& Free shipping
One Ted Falls Out of Bed by Julia Donaldson is a wonderful book to teach numbers. The book is loved by both tiny tots and not-so-little kindergartners. A cute fun story like all other Julia Donaldson stories, this one talks about the adventures of a Teddy bear while introducing numbers along.
One Mole Digging A Hole by Children’s favorite Julia Donaldson. Another one from Julia teaches numbers in a fun and interesting way.
One Mole Digging A Hole
- Donaldson, julia
- Donaldson, julia
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz is a beautiful book that shows how a tired, hungry baby needs kisses. So count and kiss and while you do that teach your child too. A perfect book for 1-5 years old.
- Little Simon
Counting Creatures– A beautiful, mesmerizing counting book by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sharon King Chai. Talks about animals and their young ones and numbers.
Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss is one of our favorite books. It is hilarious like most other Dr. Seuss books and easily manages to teach counting to little children.
Ten Apples Up on Top! (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
Chicka Chicka 1,2,3
This book by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson is a perfect book for toddlers to introduce them to numbers. Read it aloud to them and see how they love it. Bill Martin Jr. is one of America’s Best Children’s books authors.
Number Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
You can plan some fun activities like the ones below to teach the concept of numbers; these activities do not need many resources and are easy to implement.
- Counting Activities
- Number Recognition Activities for toddlers
- Matching Number with quantities
Counting Activities for 2 to 3-year-olds
Counting Activity Using Pulses
Kidney bean art- Use kidney beans (or any other pulse that they can grab) to teach them counting. On a sheet of paper, you can make a few circles and within each circle, you can make dots. for example, you make 4 circles. make one dot on circle 1, 2 dots on circle 2, 3 dots on the third circle, and so on.
The child can be asked to count the dots and put an equal number of beans in the circle.
Then you can make a simple flower/heart/sun and have your child count the beans and stick them on the outline. You can probably make a Greeting card using beans or other pulses and give them to your loved ones.
You can modify this activity for your toddler by using other child safe articles that are easy to grab.
Count and Print activity for toddlers
Kids love playing with colors and messing with their hands. coloring or painting when included in teaching alphabets or number counting they enjoy the learning process. Here we have a simple and easy print and count, number counting activity shared with us by @jugando_con_las_hijas.
This is a simple activity wherein she has used cardboard shaped as heart and asked her kid to dip the edge in paint and make as many hearts as the number says. Her kid enjoyed this play and learn method.
Counting and Color-matching Activity
Get pom-poms/buttons/beads of different colors like red green blue, and get bowls/ bottles with different color labels. Count and put objects in the bottles. repeat this activity till your child has understood.
Construction Pretend-play to Learn Counting
Use a carton or a toy dump truck and pebbles, let your child count and load the truck/ carton and transport from one point to another.
Other Simple Ways to Teach Counting to Toddlers and Preschoolers
Numbers can subtly be taught through any activity or regular parent-child interaction. You can teach numbers while eating; offering chapatis or cookies or counting spoonfuls of lentil, you can count as you serve your child. While cleaning up after play you can count the toys together.
Starting with numbers this way will not even let your child feel that he/she is being taught something; slowly you will find your child taking interest in numbers and asking “how much or how many” of everything.
Teaching Number Recognition to toddlers and Preschoolers
Number recognition is your child’s ability to recognize numbers when they see them. Your preschooler probably recognizes more numbers than you know.
Gone are the days when children were taught by digging into notebooks and pencils directly; there are different fun ways to teach numbers to children.
Following activities are simple and can easily be planned without many resources.
Number Recognition Activities for Toddlers and preschoolers
Here are some easy , simple, no/low cost number activities for toddlers. You can also modify most of the other activities mentioned in this article to suit your toddler. Do ensure that you do not use anything that can be hazardous (esp. choking) to your toddler. Be alert and around while your child is performing these activities.
- Count The colorful PomPoms and place them on Number flashcards
- Water spray Number activity: Use playground/sidewalk and spray water writing numbers. it is a fun way to teach toddlers
- Make your own version of Hopscotch and play with your child teaching him/her numbers
SOE store has FREE number mats which are great for teaching numbers 1 to 10 to toddlers, preschoolers,s or Kindergarteners (age 2 to 5 years old). These can be used as Playdough printable number mats for teaching counting to your child. Download and use it in a variety of ways.
You can use these number mats to help your child practice making numbers 0 – 10 or help your child to work on math and counting skills. Since these counting mats can be used with a wide variety of manipulatives like – Playdough, stickers, Crayons, paints, yarn, Legos, Pasta, Dot stickers, and/or cotton
Fun and easy missing number activity for toddlers
If you are searching for fun games to play and learn numbers for your kid, then here we have one such number recognition activity. This is easy to do and kids enjoy playing it. This way parents can get to know how much the child is thorough with numbers concept.
Supplies used for this activity are Popsicles, a sketch pen, and cloth clips. Write numbers in sequence with few missing numbers. Write those missing numbers on the cloth clip as you see in the picture. Now ask your kid to match the missing number and clip them on the empty space to complete the number sequence.
You can also learn letters with this activity.
Missing number activity with colorful pots
Numbers are all around us but sometimes its becomes difficult to remember the sequence to preschoolers. So here we have a simple activity that combines colors and numbers for preschoolers. This is a post shared with us by @all_about_me_montessoriway.
Easy to do count and match number recognition activity for toddlers
Teaching numbers and what counts is not difficult if started at the right age. Here we have a fun and easy number recognition activity to teach preschoolers to recognize numbers. This is a post shared with us by @papa_di_lado.
This is a very simple and easy activity with minimal essentials at home. On an A4 size paper make rectangles and write 2 numbers by drawing a line in between. Using cardboard make the same size rectangles and draw the same number of dots to match. Now you ask your kid to count and match them. This activity is ideal for count and match, number recognition for toddlers and preschoolers.
Simple count and match summer theme activity for toddlers
Counting every day is very important for kids to learn numbers. When kids repeat oral counting, it helps them learn numbers in their order and what the number sounds like. Here we have an easy and simple number recognition activity for preschoolers. This is a post shared with us by Disha Turakhia @momkid.smartplay.
This watermelon theme activity is perfect for summer for toddlers to learn counting and match them in fun way. Try it out and enjoy playing with your preschooler.
DIY Halloween monster counting and number recognition activity
Counting, numbers and math are part of everyday life. When the child is taught in this natural way he will take interest in numbers and math long before you know. Once they begin to take interest in counting and numbers, then comes the number recognition challenge. It is hard for the child to recall which number and its numerical sound. Here we have a fun DIY scary monster number recognition activity. This is a post shared with us by Monika @girlof_shine.
Materials required are:
- cups
- paints
- pipe cleaner
- Fevicol
- white sheet to make eyes, teeth and color sheet to make accessories.
This DIY scary monster to make learning interesting for toddlers. So involving your kid in making it while make them more interested in it. Paint the cups with any color. add details in it like eyes, teeth and nose. Add bow with numbers to count. cut and stick pipe cleaner as long hair you want. Your scary monster is ready.
Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy count the number of hairs(pipe cleaner) and say the number aloud. This DIY helps in color sorting, number recognition, counting, and fine motor skills.
Count & Match with Kites
This math activity aims to learn numbers and counting with some fine motor too.
- Cut shapes of kites and spools and colored them.
- Draw numbers and matching thread on it.
- The child has to count thread and match the number and has to stick string accordingly.
Even and Odd sorting with number tree activity
Number recognition and counting when included in day-to-day activity children tend to pick it up easily. So, once they are through with numbers up to 10 or 20, You can easily teach them to sort odd and even numbers. Here we have a number tree activity shared with us by @rashigoelphysio to teach the odd-even concepts to preschoolers.
This is a simple number tree with Odd numbers fruit in pink and Even number fruit red in color. Now explain the concept to your kid that; For Even number- things or numbers that can be paired together; always have a friend, Example – a pair of shoes and socks. For Odd -things or numbers that can not be paired or don’t have a friend. Example – Number 3, you can make one pair but one number is left alone without a friend.
Strategies for Teaching Number Recognition
To be able to recognize numbers a child should be able to differential one number from another and then associate with its number name. So here are few strategies:
- Do a lot of visual discrimination activities. So that kids is able to differentiate one number from another
- Introduce your kids to the name of numbers as they need to be able to recognize shapes of each number and say its name
- Do a lot of sensory play or art activities with numbers
- Go on a hunt for numbers in your house – You can do it using sticky notes and stick them around your home (as a treasure hunt)
- Trace numbers with paint pompoms or anything available
How do I Teach my Toddler to Recognize Numbers?
To help your toddler recognize number do a lot of hands on fun activities to retain their interest. Plan some activities we have mentioned here and let your kid play with number toys. Show them print numbers in everyday life. Make counting a part of their daily conversations.
Try some number hunt activities which enable the kid to identify the number and keep looking for it. You can find some really easy number hunt worksheet at our store which helps in finding the number from a jumble of numbers and helps the kid practice more in a fun way.
This is how I teach my child to recognize numbers
Things like a clock, calculator, cordless phone, calendars, lift, books with numbers at the bottom are all the things that have worked very well for my preschooler. They can easily learn the sequence and also learn to recognize the numbers.
Even number puzzles are a fun way to practice the sequence. Here, is a fun Dinosaur-themed number sequence puzzle printable by SOE Store for your little preschooler to solve.
Teaching Numbers to your Toddlers while building life-skills (Waldorf method)
Life-skills are as important as learning alphabets or numbers. What better way to teach numbers than through these basic household chores, activities like cooking, cleaning, and gardening can be used as an opportunity to teach numbers. They will learn numbers and also understand the importance of work at home. This way you will also raise a confident and responsible child.
Teaching Numbers Through Cooking
Simple cooking activities can be taken up with kids. You can make banana cake, rotis/chapatis, cookies, fruit salad, etc.
While cooking with kids tell them how much of each ingredient are you using, for eg. say aloud that we are using 4 bananas, 2 cups of flour, etc. tell them for how long you will be baking it. You must also let them touch, feel and count the ingredients. Similarly, you can do with many other simple recipes.
Teaching Numbers While Gardening
Give your child some seeds ask your child to count the seeds. While preparing the soil let your child take out hard stones/pebbles from the soil and then ask them how many stones/pebbles they found in their soil.
Teaching Numbers While Folding Clothes
Sit with your child with handkerchiefs, kitchen towels, and hand towels. For slightly older kids (4 years and above) you can choose their pajamas and t-shirts. Ask them to count and then you can teach them to fold. Using towles and handkerchiefs, you can also use this opportunity to talk about shapes.
Above are popular Waldorf Kindergarten activities to introduce numbers to little children.
Other Fun ways to teach numbers – Number Games and Hands-on Number Recognition Activities
Here we have curated some interesting number recognition activities that involve sensory stimulation too.
Sand Activity for Number Recognition
Sand is great for sensory play and when we add little learning to it, kids learn sooner and better. Few ways you can teach with sand-
- On blank sheets with glue write numbers (starting from 1) in big size, one number on each sheet. Let your child sprinkle sand and watch it stick. Take only a few numbers at a time.
- Draw numbers on a sand tray and tell your child what number is it, when you repeat a few times, your child will recognize it; you can have your child draw it too.
- Write numbers in two sets (you can use cardboard cutouts or bottle caps) hide one set in sand and ask your child to match from the other set. name the numbers as your child finds and matches these numbers.
Number Recognition Water and Ice Activities
- Number Fishing Activity- You can make fish out of paper and write numbers on them. keep bowls with numbers written on them. Put all the fish in water and let your child pick each fish by sucking with a straw. Ask your child to drop the fish in their respective bowls, matching the number on each fish. It is a fun activity and your child will enjoy it.
- In a bucket/ tub with some body-wash/soap create a lather, alternatively, you can use shaving foam. Write numbers on bottle caps, hide these numbers in the foam/froth. On a waterproof sheet write numbers and let your child pick and match numbers.
- In an ice-tray put colorful water and put these number caps, let it freeze. you can have your child rescue the numbers by breaking the cubes.
Colorful count and matching activity with bangles for preschoolers
Once you are sure your kid has learned numbers from 1 to 10, you can play the below game with your child to make the concept clear. This is a post shared with us by @nehakejriwal12. This is an easy-to-do and fun-to-play activity at home with limited things.
All you need for this activity is Paper cups. Make your kid color the bottom of the paper cup with different colors. Stick labels on the cups and write the numbers to match on the cups. Now ask your toddler to count and match them using bangles of the same color as the cup bottom.
How do I teach my 2-year-old to count ?
Easiest Way to Teach Numbers to Toddlers is through playing with Number toys and sing Songs and Rhymes. You can use flash cards too.
Use toys and household items to teach numbers and counting. The key is to talk about numbers, your child will soon take interest in numbers.
When Should Kids Learn to Count to 10?
Numbers are all around us, you can introduce numbers in different ways after your child turns 1. All children are different and achieve milestones at different ages, but most children will be able to count up to 10 by the time they are 2 years old.
Can Most 2-Year-olds count to 10?
Yes, most 2-year-old children can count up to 10. However, don’t fret if your child doesn’t show interest in numbers yet. All children learn and achieve different milestones at their own pace and time, to learn sooner your child should be listening to numbers more often.
Just keep showing numbers and keep talking about them, pick a few toddler activities from this article, and soon you will find your toddler counting numbers and taking interest in them.
What is Subitizing?
Subitizing is the ability to instantly recognize a small set of objects without counting them. It is known that children from four years and above can subitize. Subitizing works best for numbers up to 5, beyond 5 objects we tend to use different strategies and mental images to count. You can use a dice or dot cards to check the same with your child a nd adults.
Once a child has learnt counting and recognizing numbers up to 10; it is is not so difficult to transition to 2 digit numbers. You can write numbers and show them that one and one together is eleven. Once again you can use songs, games, and activities to teach number recognition 10 to 20.
Teaching Number Recognition to Special Needs Children
As we said earlier, numbers in the early years play an important role in setting the foundation of maths skills. As young children see numbers everywhere, they learn to count, understand and differentiate quantities, sizes, and shapes. Children with special needs also learn in the same fashion as other children but they will need extra attention and more repetition and practice than other kids.
Most children with special needs have difficulty in understanding and learning basic number concepts as they find them abstract. To teach children with special needs you can use board games with numbers, toys, and more sensory activities, like hiding balls in the sand and asking them to collect and count, poking Twigs in Playdough/clay and counting, tracing on the sand. With special needs children, patience and repetition is the key.
We are explaining below few ways in which you can help them improve their number sense:-
- Ensure that they have good exposure to numbers; talk to them about time, days, and quantity of things.
- Give them concrete experiences through activities and household chores like cooking that teach numbers.
- Repeat till the time they learn.
How to Teach Preschoolers to Write Numbers?
Writing follows once the children have had enough exposure to written numbers, Only once children have learnt to recognize numbers should we aim at teaching them to write.
Writing should begin with tracing first, preferably with finger on sand tray. Alternatively, you can have the child write on large board or floor with chalk.
Gradually this can move to Number tracing worksheets.
How to teach before and after numbers to preschoolers
Once the children have learned to count, it is time for them to understand “before, between, and after”. This can be introduced with a number line or a ruler. If there are 5-6 children that you are teaching together you can assign them a number (you may call them no. 1, no. 2, and so on) you can make them stand in a line and then teach “before, after, and between”
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