Number Recognition
Playing games is a good way for your child to learn to recognise numbers. For
one such game you can use some number cards.
Give your child a pile of counters or buttons. Hold up one of the cards and
ask him or her to give you that number of counters. At first you can say the
number as you show the card but later just hold it up for the child to look
at. He or she can check by putting the counters over spots on the reverse of the card.
Estimating
Developing the ability to estimate is also a useful skill. Asking a child to
guess how many items are on a tray will help to develop this. Always count
them out together afterwards, so that the child can see how close he or she was.
Recognising the Symbols
A fun way to help recognition of numbers is to select a few number cards. Take
one from the pile without letting your child see it. Ask him or her to guess
which one you have as you gradually expose the number from behind a screen
(eg. a book) If your child guesses wrongly explain what the number is. Introduce
a few numbers at first and build up slowly.
Writing Numbers
Some children will want to start writing numbers themselves as soon as they can
recognise them. Adults should make sure that they encourage children to form
their numbers correctly as incorrect letter formation can be very difficult
to correct later. Encourage your child to look for a number to copy. Print
out our number formation guide intended for parent
or carer information.