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.

Numbers, numbers, everywhere! Learning to count involves the development of more skills than meets the eye. Some things children learn about numbers, in their early years include:

• Knowing the names of numbers and saying them in the right order (counting by rote). Miss K is starting to do this at the age of 2, as she has heard it around her often.
• Understanding one-to-one correspondence; (to count one number for each object only once and not leave any out).
• Being able to recognise and write numerals.

Often, however, a young child’s exposure to numbers is limited to only one aspect of number – the cardinal aspect of number; the side of number that represents sets of things.

It is helpful to expose young children to number line activities so that when negative numbers, fractions and decimals, real and irrational numbers are introduced later on in their lives, they have a framework in which to understand those numbers. After all, any number lies between two other number values.

Here’s a simple math game to help children develop an early understanding of the number line:

Numbers Washing Line

You will need:

• String
• Number cards 1-20, or using whatever number range you are currently working with
• Two chairs
• Pegs

To play, tie the string up between two chairs. Children then peg the number cards in the right order on the washing line.

Some suggested variations to the game:

• Hang the numbers up, backwards from a given number
• Take out a number from the line and ask them what number is missing
• Take several of the number cards out, and ask children to place them back in their right places, along the number line.
• Incorporate the language “between”, “more” and “less”. E.g. 8 is between 5 and 10; 8 is more than 5; 8 is less than 10.
• 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 5 and 10). They have to guess the secret number. Every time they guess an incorrect number, the number comes off the number line. Continue guessing until the secret number is chosen.

It’s hard to believe that these guys are now five and about to start school next year. Even though it’s been exhausting, time really does fly. Moments are but a breath; here one moment and gone the next. Short, simple ways to learn through play, is central to how I enjoy these precious early years with my children.

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: Numbers Washing Line 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.

 
Our last early math game, counting with egg cartons, focused on counting and developing a one-to-one correspondence. 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 counting and numeral identification.

 
This math game, Mummy and Baby Dinosaurs is a simpler version of our numerals card and dice game. This mummy and baby dinosaurs game is suitable for children who are unable to identify and name all numerals 1-10. This early math game is great for pairs of children or individuals. To support effective peer tutoring, pair a child with a child who is more confident with counting and numeral identification.

Math Game: {Numeral Identification & Counting} Dinosaurs

 
Focus: Math Number, Numeral Identification & Counting

 
Desired Results:

• (A) Name and identify numerals 1-10;
• (B) Use the corresponding numeral for a set of objects.

Pre-Test:

• (A) Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Ask the child to point to a given numeral. Can the child identify any or all the numerals from 0 to 10?
• (B) Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Provide a collection of counters (about 20). Point to various numerals and ask the child to make a pile of this many counters. Does the child make the correct collection of counters to match each numeral?

 
Evidence of Learning: Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Provide a collection of counters (about 20). Point to various numerals and ask the child to make a pile of this many counters. The child counts with a one word, one counter match. The child has a concept of the number of items in a collection. The child makes the correct collection of counters to match each numeral.

 
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). To support this, there are variety of counting games, numeral identification games, subitising games, etc. as part of this  Early Math Games series.

 
Teaching & Learning Experiences:

 
Print out our free printables Early Math Games: Numeral Identification & Counting with Mummy and Baby Dinosaurs. One set of cards shows Mummy Dinosaurs with a numeral in the range 1 to 10. The other set of cards shows a collection of Baby Dinosaurs in the range 1 to 10.

• Model the activity. Select a baby dinosaur card. Count the baby dinosaurs and match the card to a corresponding mummy dinosaur card. Continue until all cards have been matched.
• Let the child select a baby dinosaur card. Count the baby dinosaurs and match the card to a corresponding mummy dinosaur card. Continue until all cards have been matched.
• {Formative assessment}: Can the child count with a one word, one dinosaur match?
• {Formative assessment}: Can the child identify any or all the numerals from 0 to 10?

 
Extension Activities:

• Extension activity one: Place either the mummy dinosaur cards or the baby dinosaur cards in ascending numerical order, resembling a number line. The early introduction of the number line establishes a good framework for understanding number in all its’ various forms; (natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers). 

Don’t miss our next Math Game: Teen Bingo, or browse through our many math games.

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.

The post Math Games: Numeral Identification & Counting, Dinosaurs by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.