Numbers are everywhere. Your kid is in a candy shop, the shopkeeper says the bill is of Rs. 20. Now, he/she needs the knowledge of numbers to pay the bill. They are at your home, a relative came and asked them to pick any four chocolates of their choice, they need numbers to do the required. Thus, how to introduce numbers to kids? is a relatively vital question than it might look.
Also, some parents begin by teaching only the quantities a number signifies. They ignore the importance of learning the names of numbers and the way to write them. So, through this article, you will get the answer to two of the most vital questions, which are, how to teach numbers to preschoolers and how to teach kids number names.
How to Teach Numbers to Kids?
Teaching numbers to kids includes naming the numbers and recognizing them. For example, if you are showing your kid ‘1’, they should know that it is ‘one’ and its spelling. At an advanced level, they should also know that its successor is 2 and its predecessor is 0.
For toddlers, counting to 10 is enough. Then slowly you should increase the limit. Here are some of the activities for how to teach numbers to preschoolers.
1. Teach With Rhymes that Include Counting
Kids love to learn rhymes and songs. They easily learn things while reciting rhymes or singing songs frequently. Thus, it is best to embed counting numbers in rhymes and kid’s songs. You can search on the internet about counting rhymes. Some of them are :
5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Call for the doctor,
The Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Call for the doctor,
The Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Call for the doctor,
The Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Call for the doctor,
The Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Call for the doctor,
The Doctor said,
“Put those monkeys straight to bed!”
Another amazing rhyme to help your kid with counting:
One, two, polish my shoe,
Three, four, shut the door,
Five, Six, pick the stick,
Seven, Eight, Lay them straight,
Nine, ten, a big fat hen!
There are various other rhymes to help you. Through these rhymes, kids learn the names of numbers in the sequence. You can repeatedly sing these rhymes in front of them or you can also play it on your phone, so kids listen to it and learn it gradually.
2. Use Materials to Teach Counting
The best way to teach the kid the quantities of numbers is to use their favourite materials. You can bring all their toys and separate them according to different categories like colours, materials, or types ( cars, cars, animals, etc.). You can also use pencils, sketch colours, paint colours, crayons.
Then simply ask your kid to give you one pencil. Then ask them to give you 2 crayons. To increase the learning process. You can ask them to give you four red colour toys. Then you can also put 5 paint colours in front of your kids and ask them to count and tell the number of paint colours. Through this method, kids will enjoy learning the quantities. As a motivation, you can also keep 2 chocolates in front of them and tell them to eat chocolates only when they tell the number of chocolates.
If you wonder how to teach kids number names, then always remember one thing. Don’t Limit your kids’ learning to a particular time of the day. You should keep them in the learning mode throughout the day in a fun way so they do not realize but learn lots of things. For example, when you are going to a park, ask your kid to count the number of kids playing there or the number of birds sitting on the tree. If you are standing in front of a building, ask kids to count the number of floors of the building. In this way, their learning never stops and they soon become good with numbers.
Now you know how to introduce numbers to kids? It is time to learn how to teach numbers to preschoolers that mean writing numbers. The next section deals with it.
Also Read: Simple Addition Activities for Kindergarten: Teach Addition with Ease
How to Teach Kids to Write Numbers?
Now your kids know the names of numbers and quantities they represent. But now another challenge is to teach them the shapes of numbers. Here are various activities that might help you in it.
1. Draw the Numbers
One thing you can do is act the numbers in the air. You can just draw any number, say 1 in the air, Then ask your kids to imitate the movements in a notebook or a blackboard. Once kids learn till 10, call out the digits and ask them to write them in the air.
2. Let them Play in Numbers
It is a simple game yet teaches kids the way to write numbers quickly. Most kids love to play with their toy cars or trains. This time when they will show you their car or train to move on the floor, do not let them swipe it anywhere. Ask them to move their car in the shapes of numbers.
Like if you call one, they will move their car in a straight line. This activity creates a sense of joy in kids. They learn the way to write each number. Since they do not get bored with it, you can keep them teaching for a long time.
3. The Dice Game
Once you think that now your kid can write numbers by listening to its name or counting the quantities, you can play this game to test where they are lacking. For this activity, you require a dice, a notebook ( or blackboard ), and a pencil ( or chalk).
Now, roll a dice on a table or any hard surface. Then ask your kid to count the number of dots and write the number that signifies that quality. To make the game challenging, you can roll two or three dice together. Then ask your kid to count the total dots and write the required number. This game requires complete knowledge of numbers like names of numbers, their quantities, and how to write them. So, you can easily recognize where they still need practice. Then you can plan their teaching accordingly.
Also Read: Math Game For Kids: Develop Maths Skills with a Mix of Fun and Entertainment
Conclusion
Learning numbers at an early age ensures that kids do not find mathematics difficult in the future. Thus, you must start their practice as soon as possible. However, try to teach them most of the things through activities and games. So, they do not panic and run from learning.
