Number

Number recognition, counting and mathematical language

Most young children love to count. Counting is very often an experience, which is shared with others.  To count effectively, children should know and understand the difference between the concepts of more/less/the same and have an appreciation of how these are related. Children also need to know number names, recall numbers in the right order, co-ordinate hand, eye and voice, and keep track of what has and has not been counted. It is more complex than you first think and they need lots of practice doing similar activities. To develop confidence in counting, children should take part in experiences which help them visualise what they are saying. Counting is also about developing number sense which encourages children to think, and is best when it allows children to interact in the world around them in playful numeracy experiences. (Education Scotland, 2020)

Ideas to develop number recognition, counting and mathematical language:

• Talk about numbers with your child.  Introduce mathematical language where possible, such as, how many? Which is biggest? Which is smallest? Who was first? Second? Do you need more/less?  By introducing this language to your child, in context, they will develop a better understanding of the many real life applications of numeracy and mathematics and be more confident using the language themselves. 

• Counting rhymes and songs – 5 little ducks, 5 little monkeys, 5 little speckled frogs, 10 green bottles and so on. If possible, show the numeral as you go through the rhyme – written on a piece of paper for example.  Encourage your child to act out the rhyme with household items, make a pond of the floor for example and add cuddly toys as the ducks.  This allows them to see the number of items changing as the song progresses. For more challenge, increase the number to 10 or even 20!

• Encourage your child to touch an object with their pointing finger as they are counting. This will help them count objects only once as they count.

• Play board games that use dice, like Snakes and Ladders for example, – your child can identify the number of spots on the dice and match that to how many spaces to move.  This will help develop their understanding of number value. 

• Play number spotting games – in your home or in the local environment.  Look at road signs, street signs, house numbers, food labels, clocks or car registration plates for example.

• Draw or make numbers with paint, crayons, in play dough or shaving foam.  Talk about the different shapes of the numbers.

• Use natural resources, such as sticks or stones in the garden – can you make an 8? A 10?

• Order numbers – which comes first, next, before or after.  Use wooden or magnetic numbers or write numbers on paper and muddle them up – can your child put them back in the correct order.  Can they identify which number is missing in a number line?

• Practise counting forwards and backwards and from different starting points.  Can you start at 5 and count up to 10? Can you start at 12 and count down to 0? This will develop counting confidence. 

• Explore online number games – www.topmarks.co.uk has lots of different number recognition and counting games.

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/topics/numeracy - The Cbeebies website also has a variety of helpful number games for young children.

• Encourage your child to match the numeral to a value – I have the number 5. Can you give me 5 shells?  I have 9 shells.  Can you find the number 9?

• Use chalk to create a large number line outside (you could use sheets of paper if you are inside) - can you hop to 8? Can you side step to 14? What number comes before/after? How many jumps is it from 2 to 5? Finding opportunities to practise number recognition using playful experiences will help your child build confidence with their numbers.

• Read books together that celebrate numbers – Spinderella or 10 little Pirates/Monsters for example, provide opportunities to discuss the importance of numbers and your child can count along. 

• Play number games together, like number bingo or snap.

• Set up a shop! Children may be seen counting, adding and subtracting. For example, when selling items from a shop, children work out exchanges of goods for “money”. This may include doubling or halving.  Role play includes lots of 1-to-1 correspondence. For example, children may set the table with one spoon and one bowl for each person.