I recently shared a number game; the numbers washing line and the response to that game threw me back a bit – in a totally awesome way. I could see other families playing the game, (check out Jackie at My Little Bookcase’s instagram for their version of the game), and I loved the comments on the post (P.S. bloggers seriously love the comment love; think of it as a way to shout them a virtual coffee).

The response was wonderful because I could completely relate to the need for hands on, playful ways to learn. I am so pleased to share another playful math game – number fences.

This Math Game, Number Fences helps young children with learning their numerals and also ordering their numbers. As a guideline, children in Kindergarten (ages 4-6), are working towards counting to 30, ordering, reading and representing numbers in the range 0-20, (referenced from the Math Syllabus for schools in N.S.W, Sydney Australia).

Here’s a simple math game to help children develop numeral identification and ordering /sequencing their numbers.

Number Fences

You will need:

• 20 craft paddle pop sticks
• thin marker

Prepare the number fences by simply placing the numerals 1-20 on the paddle pop sticks.

To play, jumble up the paddle pop sticks and then have the child / children make a fence by putting the numbered paddle pop sticks in the right order.

Some suggested variations to this math game:

• Limit the number range to 1-10 if those numbers haven’t been mastered yet.
• Focus only on 11-20 if children are just beginning to learn their teens.
• Build the fence backwards from a given number.
• Take a number out from the fence and ask them what number is missing
• Take several of the numbers out, and ask children to place them back in their right places, along the number line.
• Ask children what number is 2 more than 15; or 3 less than a given number, etc.
• Play guess the secret number. You choose a number and tell them it’s between a given range (e.g. The secret number is between 10-20). They have to guess the secret number. Every time they guess a wrong number, that paddle pop stick gets taken away from the fence. Continue guessing until the secret number is chosen.

Craft paddle pop sticks are so useful! This number fence is an extremely cheap, easy and fun way to learn through play.

What are some of your favourite math learning resources?

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Math Games: Number Fences by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

Our last math game, teen bingo, develops early numeral identification skills. My kids love playing it to no end, (I think the stamps have something to do with it).

Today we will continue with another math game, snap plus one. This counting and numeral identification game is great for children who know how to count to ten or beyond, but always begin at one when they count. They may also also be at the point where they are learning to add two collections of items.

This game of snap plus one, is a great way to introduce children to a more efficient strategy for solving number problems.

Instead of always beginning at one when counting, children who can “count-on”, can count on from any given number. When solving number problems, the ability to count on is much more efficient than counting from one.

Snap Plus One: Counting & Numeral Identification:

Focus: Math Number, Counting & Numeral Identification

Desired Results: Say the number word just after a given number in the range of one to ten.

Pre-Test: Ask a child to say the number word just after a given number word in the range of one to ten. Can they say the correct number word after a given number, without beginning at one when they count?

Evidence of Learning: A child is able to say the number word just after a given number word in the range one to ten without beginning at one.

When working with young children, remember to:

• Show them how to do the task before expecting them to complete the task independently.
• Limit the range of numbers being presented when introducing a new mathematical idea.
• Provide children with a variety of math games, which repeat the same mathematical understanding (e.g. counting, numeral identification, subitising, etc). To support this, I will be sharing a variety of counting games, numeral identification games, subitising games, etc. as part of this Math Games series.

Teaching & Learning Experiences:

You will need a deck of playing cards. Remove all the picture cards. Ace refers to one in this game.

Just like snap, cards are dealt face down to all the players. Each player takes turns to turn one card from their pile over and places this in the middle. However, instead of slapping the pile of cards and saying snap when two cards match, in this game of snap plus one, the pile of cards are snapped only when the new card is one more than the previous card.

For example if 5 is placed in the middle and the new card placed on top is 6, players may slap the pile. The quickest player to slap the pile and say snap picks up all the cards.

When any player runs out of cards, the game is over. The player with the most cards, is the winner.

Possible Variations to the Game:

• For children who are working on their number recognition, play the standard game of snap where they have to match the same cards.
• To extend this game, play Snap +/- 1, or Snap +/- 2

After more math games? Browse through our collection of math games.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Math Game: Snap Plus One by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

Our last early math game, Mummy and Baby Dinosaurs, focused on counting and numeral identification. Children learn best when presented with a variety of games that reinforce the same mathematical concept. Today we will continue with another math game that focuses on numeral identification.

Bingo is such a versatile game; you can use it to reinforce so many different concepts. This math game, Teen Bingo is great for kids who can identify and name numerals from zero to ten, but may not necessarily be able to identify and name all the numerals to twenty.

Math Game: Teen Bingo

Focus: Math Number, Numeral Identification

Desired Results: Name and identify numerals 11-20;

Pre-Test: Display a set of numeral cards from 11 to 20, in random order. Ask the child to point to a given numeral. Can the child identify any or all the numerals from 11 to 20? Select a numeral card from 11 to 20. Can the child name any or all the numerals from 11 to 20 with the correct naming of number words in the ‘teens’?

Evidence of Learning: The child is able to identify and name all the numerals from 11 to 20, with the correct naming of number words in the ‘teens’.

When working with young children, remember to:

• Show them how to do the task before expecting them to complete the task independently.
• Limit the range of numbers being presented when introducing a new mathematical idea.
• Provide children with a variety of early math games, which repeat the same mathematical understanding (e.g. counting, numeral identification, subitising, etc).

Teaching & Learning Experiences:

Download and print out our free printable Math Game: Teen Bingo.

• One page has all the numerals from 11-20; cut these out and place them into a box.
• I have also provided two pre-made bingo sheets with the numerals 11-20 randomly placed in a table.
• There is also a blank bingo sheet template so that you can quickly create your custom made bingo sheet with numerals your child may need more practice with.

As each card is drawn out of the box, name the number. Ensure the correct naming of number words in the ‘teens’, (not to be confused with numbers ending in -ty).

Stamp the corresponding number on the teen bingo sheet. A numeral may be placed several times on a given bingo sheet. Encourage children to be thorough as they find the corresponding number on their teen bingo sheet.

The game is completed when all the numbers on their teen bingo sheet has been stamped.

Mr N&M are highly competitive, a trait exacerbated by being twins. When playing this game I remind them that it’s about finishing, rather than being the fastest.

You could use counters to cover the numbers, but my boys love using stamps. There’s only 2 of them, (unlike a class of 20), so I indulge them.

Extension Activity: Kids need to be familiar with the forward and backward number sequence, and be able to count from any given number. Challenge kids to stamp the number before or number after the card drawn from the box.

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to subscribe to our RSS feed or receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Math Game: Teen Bingo by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.