Are you in a number recognition rut?
Been there! It can be really tricky to get out too. Sometimes kids struggle to connect counting to cardinality, or to differentiate between numbers. They are symbols like letters are, but they hold a different kind of meaning. Here are some easy, hands-on activities I’ve used to help my little ones get out of this rut.
Roll and count or roll and color games
These games are so versatile and keep kids engaged. They can be done individually or as a group game during centers. Use traditional dice to practice one-to-one correspondence, or use numbered dice to work on recognition. Don’t have a printer? No problem! Simply write out the numbers on a blank piece of paper and have fun with your little learner!
Number Hunt
This activity gets kids on their feet and deeply engaged in what they’re learning! There are a few different ways to play it, but this is how we like to do it.
Start with number flashcards or write numbers 1-10 on post-it notes. Go around your house or classroom and count sets of objects. For example: 2 chairs, 3 ponies, 4 pillows… As the objects are counted, place the corresponding number next to them. Once numbers 1-10 are placed, go back and collect the flashcards in order, saying the number out loud as they are collected.
Feed the…
This is another activity that can be put together with supplies you already have at home. Draw your own animal (or snowman) to feed and place in on top of a box, Tupperware, or even a wipes container. This is a great way to practice one-to-one correspondence. Plus they can be repurposed for literacy too!
We used these cotton “snowballs” to feed our snowman. First we rolled the dice, then we fed the snowman the corresponding number of snowballs! Yum! Add fine motor practice by using tweezers, kitchen tongs, or gator grabbers.
Sensory bin 1-1
If you’re a sensory bin fan, this activity is for you! The best part is that you can use what you have and incorporate it into any season. Here is an example from our fall sensory bin. We used our number flashcards to determine how many pumpkins, acorns, or leaves we would count out. To make this activity easier for you and your learner, always have a designated counting area. Trust me, it makes a big difference! The orange paper pictured here is where the manipulatives were placed while counting. You can also use cups, jars, or other containers.
Lastly, be patient!
I know… it’s hard! But all children learn at their own pace. Some kids pick up numbers easier than others. Keep practicing and reinforcing. They’ll get there!
Happy Learning!
-Sarah