Skill 1
Children need to learn the sounds of the numbers 'one, two, three...'.
Children can start to recognise the sound of numbers from an early age if they
hear number songs and rhymes and hear people counting. Some examples of rhymes
are:
Five currant buns in the baker's shop
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Once I caught a fish alive
Five fat sausages frying in a pan
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
Books and stories that include numbers can help too. At story time make a point
of counting the characters and the key items in the pictures. Some examples of
books are:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Three Little Pigs
These will give reinforcement to the sound of counting and with it the fact
that numbers relate to different amounts. Children will then start to notice
numbers in speech and begin to develop an understanding of how they are used.
The children may even be able to count by reciting the numbers from 1 - 10, but
this has little meaning at this stage. It is a good idea to point out numbers
that appear in everyday contexts such as on a clock, a telephone, on doors and
money. This will help children to understand that numbers have a practical use,
as well helping them to recognise written numbers.