Number Recognition Archives - I Can Teach My Child!

Counting Robots

May 2, 2013 by Jenae — 3 Comments

This simple activity is great for number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and fine motor control! We used some robot stickers to make the activity even more appealing to Little Brother.

Here’s what you’ll need: craft sticks, clothespins, robot stickers (which we received compliments of CraftProjectIdeas.com), and a Sharpie.

1. Add your stickers onto each craft stick.

2. Write the numerals on both sides of the clothespins.

3. Give your child the craft sticks and have him/her count the stickers on each stick…

…and then select the corresponding clothespin.

Pinching the clothespin is great for developing the small muscles in the hands.

All done!

Check out more number recognition activities here and on our Pinterest board!

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Filed Under: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Cognitive Development, Number Recognition, One-to-One Correspondence

“April Showers” One-to-One Correspondence Activity

April 15, 2013 by Jenae — 2 Comments

One-to-one correspondence is a very important concept for young children and is a basic foundation for all of mathematics. Simply put, one-to-one correspondence is the process of touching one object for each number that is counted aloud. Little Brother sometimes still points to a group of 5 objects and counts the same object 2 or 3 times. This isn’t uncommon for young children, but we thought we might do some “April Showers” one-to-one correspondence practice!

Here’s what you’ll need: construction paper (I used pink, blue, and brown), scissors, clear contact paper, and painter’s tape (or masking tape).

1. Draw an umbrella shape on a piece of construction paper and cut out.

2. Hang a piece of contact paper, sticky-side-out, on a window and secure it in place with some painter’s tape (or masking tape). You could also hang it on a wall, just make sure the tape you use won’t peel off your paint!

3. Cut out 15 small raindrops from the blue construction paper. *Caution*: If you are doing this activity with children younger than 3, make sure it is supervised at all times due to the small raindrops.

4. Write the numbers 1-5 on the umbrella and have your child place the corresponding number of raindrops underneath each number.

All done!

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Filed Under: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Cognitive Development, Number Recognition, One-to-One Correspondence, Weather

Counting Up to Big Numbers with an Abacus

April 4, 2013 by Jenae — 2 Comments

Another way to use an abacus is skip counting to higher numbers (and teaching place value in the process). If you don’t already have an abacus and don’t want to buy one, you can make your own!

Write a two-digit number on a dry erase board or even a piece of paper.

If your child is still learning to count, he/she can count by ones while moving each individual bead.

Once he/she has mastered counting by ones to at least fifty and has begun skip counting, encourage your child to count by tens first and then ones to make the number on the abacus.

Counting by tens to 40 and then ones to 7.

This boy loves to learn!

What other creative ways do you have to use an abacus?

Please note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy.

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Filed Under: Cognitive Development, Number Recognition, One-to-One Correspondence, School Age

Number Pound

November 30, 2012 by Jenae — 2 Comments

After doing the Pound-a-Sound activity with Big Brother, I knew I wanted to utilize our Pound-a-Peg toy to try and engage Little Brother in some learning as well. This is one of the most versatile toys we own…and has obviously gotten lots of use (which is evident from the dents in the wood in the pictures below).

As I’ve mentioned before, Little Brother isn’t always the most willing student. He enjoys learning, but he definitely prefers to be learning and moving. This activity was a winner, for obvious reasons. What little boy doesn’t like to hit stuff? Learning and hitting…I think we might be on to something (as long as it’s not a person). :)

Here’s what you’ll need: Pound-a-Peg Toy (or something similar) and mallet, small dot stickers (the ones used for garage sales–you should be able to find these in the office supply section of most stores) and a marker.

1. Write the numbers on the dot stickers. We lost one of our pegs, so I only did numbers 1-7.

2. Place the dot stickers on top of each peg and place inside the bench.

3. Call out a number and ask your child to pound that specific number only (a little lesson is self-control is always beneficial, right?!?!).

Keep going!

Next, let your child choose the peg and have him/her call out the number as he/she is pounding it.

What is your favorite hands-on way to teach number recognition?

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Filed Under: 2-3 years, 3-5 years, Cognitive Development, Gross Motor Development, Number Recognition

Pumpkin Seed Puzzles

October 31, 2012 by Jenae — 1 Comment

Happy Halloween! Use your leftover pumpkin seeds from jack-o-lantern making to make these pumpkin seed puzzles. This is great for number recognition and one-to-one correspondence.

Here’s what you’ll need: orange construction paper, scissors, glue, marker, and pumpkin seeds (rinsed and dried).