Teaching Numbers Activities, How to Teach Numbers Like a Boss

Are you a momma wanting to teach your numbers to your little one? Then, you’ve landed in the right place. In this article, you will find tips, tricks, and teaching numbers activities to use with your little learner. I’m Brittany, an early-learning educator, parent resource, and your go-to-girl for all things early learning. My passion is to help make your life easier by providing tips, tricks, and ideas for creating meaningful learning moments for your early mathemetician. If you are interested in resources like the ones you find in this article, make sure to check out our Monthly Skills Builders Newsletter…where you can get free ideas, resources, and learning activities sent straight to your inbox, making teaching your young child easy for you, and even more fun for them. It’s a win all around 🙂

Why Does My Child Need To Learn Numbers?

Understanding the importance of learning numbers is crucial for parents who want to support their child’s early learning journey. Numeracy skills are essential for various everyday tasks, from telling time to understanding quantities and measurements. By learning numbers at a young age, children develop a solid foundation for future math skills and academic success.

Teaching Numbers for Preschoolers

Teaching numbers to preschoolers can be both fun for them and rewarding for you. Here are some of my top tips when engaging young learners:

Teach through play

Play is a natural and effective way for children to learn. Incorporate numbers into games and activities, such as counting blocks or sorting toys by color and quantity. Turn everyday tasks and exploration opportunities like cooking or grocery shopping into learning moments by involving your child in counting.

Make Learning Multisensory

Engage multiple senses to reinforce number concepts. Use tactile materials like playdough or sensory bins to help children visualize and manipulate numbers. Incorporate movement by having them trace numbers in sand, shaving cream, or a tray of rice!

Repetition and Routine are your Friends

Consistency is key when teaching numbers. Establish a daily routine for counting practice, such as counting the stairs as you go up or down or counting the items on the breakfast table. Repetition helps reinforce number recognition and builds confidence in young learners.

Don’t be misled, repetitive practice does not mean learning numbers will take hours and hours of practice in one sitting. Numbers can be learned in 5-10 minutes a day! Commit to 5-10 minutes a day, provide routine learning activities, and your child’s number skills will grow!

Don’t Force It

Be patient and follow your child’s lead. Avoid pressuring them to learn numbers before they’re ready. Instead, create a supportive environment where they feel encouraged to explore and engage with numbers at their own pace.

When Should Your Child Start to Recognize Numbers?

The age at which children start to recognize numbers can vary, but most typically begin to show interest between the ages of 2 and 4. However, it’s essential to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Focus on creating opportunities for exposure and exploration rather than rushing the process.

Teach Numbers the Right Way

Effective number teaching involves a structured approach that progresses from concrete experiences to abstract concepts. Here’s how to teach numbers the right way:

Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract

Follow the CPA approach, starting with concrete experiences like counting objects, then moving to pictorial representations like number charts or pictures, and finally introducing abstract representations like numerals.

Begin with counting practice

As your child develops the ability to count, make sure they are equipped with the strategies to count accurately and efficiently. This prevents the common error of counting objects more than once, or skipping objects when counting. Encourage them to use these three timeless strategies to count!

Move and Count
Touch and Count
Mark and Count

Teaching Numbers Activities

Support your teaching efforts with valuable resources and tools designed to engage young learners. Here are some of my favorite resources for teaching numbers activities:

Number Books

Explore a variety of children’s books that focus on numbers and counting. Look for books with vibrant illustrations and simple text that catch your young readers’ eye! Here are some of the ones I loved to use in my classroom:

Number Rhymes/ Songs

Sing along to catchy number rhymes and songs that help reinforce number recognition and counting skills. You can find countless nursery rhymes and educational songs on platforms like YouTube or streaming services. Here are some of my favorites:

Amazon Favorites

Sometimes you just need some simple number learning resources to add to your toy-rotation shelf! Here are the ones I would recommend:

These math tools are great for counting/ number practice AND other math skills as well!

Number Resources- Print and Go!

Explore printable resources and worksheets that make learning numbers convenient and accessible. My Teachers Pay Teachers store offers a wide range of teaching numbers activities created for parents and teachers alike. From number recognition worksheets to hands-on math games, there’s something for every child. Here are some of my favorite resources for teaching numbers:

I’m here to help…

Remember, friend, it does not have to be complicated. And I am here to help you along the way! For all things early learning, you can follow me @miss.bees.knees on instagram, facebook, and my website. Shoot me a DM with any questions you may have. And don’t forget! I send monthly skill-building newsletters out to all my subscribers.