Numbers are an integral part of our daily lives. From phone numbers, zip codes, paying bills to shopping, everything involves numbers. Learning about numbers is important to perform all these basic activities and more. Developing children’s number sense is also important to develop their mathematical fluency and help them achieve mastery in the subject. This is because the numbers are to math, what the letters of the alphabet are to language.
Number recognition is the first skill that children need to learn before they learn math. A good number sense is essential to build a strong foundation for more advanced mathematical learning. From counting, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing to geometry, algebra, IB math, etc., everything uses numbers. So, helping children learn about numbers is extremely important.
But how do you introduce the concept of numbers to children? Developing a number sense is the first step in the child’s numeracy development. An easy way to help children learn about numbers is numbers worksheet that help children trace and write them too. Here are 5 ways to introduce numbers to your children and help them learn how to recognize numbers.
5 Ways to Introduce Numbers to Your Children
These 5 ways will help your children learn the numbers and develop their number sense.
Counting: One of the easiest ways to help children learn numbers is through counting. Counting helps children understand that numbers represent a quantity. Introduce them to counting using toys, candies, fruits of their choice, abacus, buttons etc. Place some candies in front of the children and ask them to count the total number of candies. You can make it more fun by taking the kids into the garden and asking them to count flowers. Then, ask them to count the total number of flowers in a small flower bed. These activities can build a solid sense of numbers for children.
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Number scavenger hunt: A number scavenger hunt is a wonderful game to help children learn numbers. Write the numbers from 1 to 10 on flashcards and hide them around the house. Then ask the children to search and find the flashcards. Each time they find a flashcard, ask them to call out the number loudly. This activity helps enhance the children’s number recognition skills.
Worksheets: Worksheets are one of the most effective ways to help children learn and practice their lessons. Worksheets like number 1 worksheets help children learn to recognize the number, trace and write the number. These worksheets also help children learn that a number represents a quantity and improve their counting skills. Practicing on these worksheets help children retain the information they’ve learnt for a long time.
Connect the dots: Connect the dots is one of the most fun ways to help children learn numbers. Drawing and coloring are one of a child’s favorite activities. These worksheets help children learn about numbers while they connect the numbers to complete the picture. Additionally, these fun worksheets help children learn the correct order of numbers. This activity not only helps children learn numbers, but it also improves their fine motor skills and drawing skills.
Hopscotch: Hopscotch is a popular game that most kids love to play. So, it’s a perfect activity to introduce children to the concept of numbers. Draw a hopscotch grid on the floor and write the numbers from 1 to 5 inside it. Now ask the children to play the game as usual but with one twist. Each time the child hops onto a grid, the child will have to call out the number written inside the grid.
These 5 fun activities are the best way to introduce them to numbers and build their number recognition skills.
