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.

Inspired by a preschool visit where they take learning outdoors, I pick up our blue sheet, a stack of numeral cards and a die. In between their scooter and running races, we sat and played a quick maths numeral card game.

Maths: Numerals Card Game

This game helps children work towards:

• Naming and identifying numerals. These skills are required so that we can record our maths.
• Using the correct corresponding numeral for a given set of objects.

Materials:

• A die
• A set of numeral cards. Here’s a free printable of the set we used.

How to Play:

Place the numeral cards face up on the ground. Take turns to roll the die and pick up the corresponding numeral card. If the card has already been taken, the child forfeits a turn. Play until all the cards have been taken.

You can play as a team with the goal of picking up all the cards. Or you could have a competition to see who can pick up the most cards.

Identifying vs. Naming a Numeral

When children are just beginning to identify and name some numerals, it is important to consider that identifying a numeral and naming a numeral are different skills.

An example of identifying a numeral: A child is asked to point to a card with the number ‘two’ on it. He/she points to a card with the numeral ‘two’ on it.

An example of naming a numeral:  A child is able to say the number word ‘two’ when presented with a numeral card with the numeral ‘two’ on it.

Some children may be able to identify numerals, but find it difficult to name a numeral. As such, it is important to ensure children are given opportunities to practise both identifying and naming numerals.

Scooter races, running races, and sneaking in a few quick rounds of our maths numerals card game. I think I’ve found an new, productive and enjoyable Spring time afternoon format.

Does your child need more practise with their numerals? Here are some more maths games that work with numerals.
Dice Bingo – Subitising
Button Paperclip Number Cards
Counting: Handful of Buttons

(I originally published a version of this post on KidsActivitiesBlog.com).

N & M: 4 years, 3 months
September 2012

The post Maths: Does Your Child Know Their Numerals? by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

Teaching 101: the more you know about the learner, the better placed you are to teach. The numbers book is simple in concept. However, the way it’s taught and learnt will vary from child to child, even if they have shared the same womb.

Make simple blank booklets by folding paper and stapling it.

Choose a number for the book and draw/stick the corresponding number of items on that page.

Our first book was about ‘1’.
N & M drew one superhero on each page of their books.

I got a bit ahead of myself and thought I could introduce the word ‘one’ to them at the same time. I should have known better and stuck to teaching one new concept at a time; either just the numeral or the word. Thankfully my children are like sponges – whatever is too much for them just glides off them. This is a most forgiving trait.

Our second book was about ‘2’.

On each page of this book, N & M did rainbow writing of the number ‘2’ before sticking down two stickers.
A quick note about rainbow writing, write the ‘model’ number in a light colour like pink or orange so that children can see their own writing (using a darker colour) when they rainbow write on top of it.

That’s the basic outline of the lesson. The details of the lesson varied for N & M. Eg N needed more guidance with his pencil grip when doing his rainbow writing. M needed more incentive and time to engage and commence the activity.

How did you vary this activity for your learner?

N & M : 3 years, 10 months

The post Numbers Book by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
This activity is for kids in the emergent counting stage. They know some number words but can’t count visible items. They either don’t know the correct sequence of number words or can’t coordinate the words with items.

Materials

Paper clips
Buttons
Glue gun
Cardboard
Marker

Making Button Paperclip Number Cards

1. Glue buttons onto paper clips
2. Cut large cardboard rectangles for number cards.
3. Write numerals zero to five on the number cards.

Aim of the activity

Help kids know the corresponding numeral for a set of objects.

How to play

Ask kids to slide the correct number of button paperclips onto the numeral cards.

Extension

Extend the activity by placing the numeral cards in either a forward or backward counting sequence.

Other skills practised

I found that this activity was also good for practising fine motor skills.

Sliding paperclips onto the numeral cards was tricky work for little fingers.

N & M: 3 years, 7 months

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It’s Playtime

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