Activities to Teach Counting Numbers

By Shahnee

Preschoolers’ exposure to counting is endless and often happens very informally throughout the day. Numbers are everywhere and whether we notice it or not, we constantly talk about them. It might be counting how many apples are in the fruit bowl, noticing how many birds are sitting on the fence or counting out how many animals are on the page of a book. Preschooler’s brains are like sponges and they take in the events of life, whether we intend for them to be learning experiences or not. Children begin to understand that numbers are involved in counting, refer to quantities and have an order, all without explicitly being taught. Counting is a fundamental skill that opens the door to all other mathematical concepts. Counting requires children to recognise and write numbers as numerals, understand that numbers are ordered sequentially and comprehend that one item is counted at a time as we move from number to number. We often count things out without even realising it. We group items together for more effective counting and employ strategies to count numbers quicker. Although, before we develop these skills, we need to learn the names of numbers, the order in which they go and what a collection looks like for each number.

Here are some engaging and interactive ways to begin teaching the basic skills of counting to your preschooler using your CONNETIX tiles.

Create a Tens Frame

Using 10 small square tiles, create a 2×5 grid. This is your tens frame.

Option 1: Grab a larger tile, it might be a square, hexagon or pentagon, and write a number on it. For example,1, one. This option might be better to begin with as there’s only one number to focus on at a time.

Option 2: Have a stack of tiles piled up with a number written on each. Flip one tile over at a time and read the number.

Using another shaped CONNETIX tile or objects from around the house, ask children to show you what number has been written by adding one tile or object to each square within the tens frame. Together, you can count the amount that has been made.

If your child is working on numbers higher than 10, create as many additional frames as needed. They may even begin to see that the number 12 for example, allows them to count on from 10 two more times.

Counting Items into a Box

Using your CONNETIX, create a few different cubes, but leave the tops off. Using a chalk marker, write a number on the front tile of the box. Place a collection of items from around the house on the floor in front of the boxes. Ask children to read the number on the box then place that many items within the box. Repeat this for all the boxes. Children might like to use tweezers to add some fine motor skill development into the activity. They could even use a straw to try and suction the items they place in the box, if it’s safe to do so. Alternatively, you could ask children to write the number that will be placed on each box, you could add the items, then they could check it to see if you were right.

Creating Images or Pictures

All children love a challenge so why not give them one. Ask children to create an image with a set number of colours or shapes. For example, you might ask them to create a dinosaur with 5 orange tiles, 3 yellow tiles, 4 red tiles and the rest of the tiles can be a colour of their choice. Alternatively, you might enjoy being more open-ended and ask them to be creative, designing their own picture then telling you the amount of each colour or shape they used.

Matching Written Numbers to Collections or Images

This activity could be done in different ways. Here are a few options:

1. Mix and match

Take 20 tiles and write the numbers 1-10 on a separate tile. With the remaining tiles draw a picture that corresponds to each number, e.g. 1 butterfly, 2 flowers, 3 leaves and so on. Mix the tiles up on the floor then work together to match them up.

2. Memory

Using the same activity as above, flip the tiles upside down and play a memory game to match the correct number and picture together.

Alternatively, you could add a further challenge by having a range of different pictures that show the same number then try to match these. If it’s a match, write the number on a new tile.

3. Match the numbers

Take a large tile with multiple sides, such as a hexagon, and write a number or draw a collection of dots on each side of the shape. Using another shaped smaller tile, write the number or draw the corresponding dots that will match what is shown on the large tile. Place these smaller tiles around the large tile and ask children to match them. As tiles are connected together ask children to explain or prove how they knew those numbers matched. Hopefully they will count out the dots to show you the pair. If you’d like a further challenge, add some numbers to the small tile set that don’t match what’s been written on the larger tile.

Create a Ball Run

Create an amazing ball run that has a grid at the bottom. Try to make it at least a 3×3 grid. Build a border around the grid to stop the ball running away once it reaches the end of the run. On each of the tiles in the grid write a number or draw a picture that displays a different numerical value. Drop the ball through the ball run and watch it zoom through to a land on the grid. Read the number or count the collection shown. You might even like to get children to write the number or draw their own collection to match what they’ve landed on after each roll.

Each of the ideas mentioned involves using drawings or pictures as an option as part of the activity. Drawings that display a numerical value could also be substituted for:

Dots, whether they are grouped equally, such as 2 shown side-by-side, or split, such as 5, shown as a group of 2 and 3
Tally marks or lines
Shapes

This helps children understand that there are multiple ways to show the same value.

Each activity also presents children with the opportunity to count items and practice writing the number. Even if you have prewritten the number for the activity, you can still ask children to practice writing the number too. They will probably look at your example to help them remember how to write the number. Here’s a few ideas of how children can write their numbers:

On another CONNETIX tile with a chalk marker
In the air
In the sand or dirt
Out of playdoh
On a whiteboard
On someone’s hand or back
In a book using rainbow colours
Tracing a number stencil or laminated sheet that has the numbers prewritten
In shaving foam or cream
With chalk on the pavement
Out of slime
In a bowl of rice

CONNETIX are a fun item that can be added to your playroom. Not only do they capture children’s creativity and provide endless enjoyment, but they can also be used as a versatile learning tool to further develop children’s academic understanding. Counting is such an important skill that preschoolers are developing. Helping them to learn in a stimulating and safe space develops their number fluency and most importantly, builds their confidence.

Shahnee

Shahnee is a primary school teacher who has a passion for supporting children to develop core literary and numeracy skills. She believes in creating a love for learning and fostering children's inquisitive, creative nature. She loves open ended play and believes it brings out everyone's inner child.

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