Number Recognition

[butterfly]

What are your favorite activitites for teaching number recognition? My dcks (mostly 2 & 3 yr olds) have a great grasp of letters and letter sounds, but I haven't been effective in teaching number recognition.

Everyone can count to 10 - most can count much higher. We count things all the time...

However, no one knows 1 is 1, or one is 1, etc.

Any fun ideas for me?

[MsLaura529]

We count daily on our calendar ... I point to the numbers as we say them. When we add a new day, I pass around the little card with the number on it, and they "trace" it with their fingers.

When we did camping, I had printed out jars on paper, each jar had a number on top, with that many dots in the jar. I cut out little fireflies and they put how many fireflies into the jar that matched the number. Each time we played, we talked about counting the dots in the jar first to figure out what the number on top was.

Rolling dice, so they can count the number of dots, and then mark off that particular number on a sheet would be a fun one, too.

[Unregistered]

Daily Calendar Time.

These are cute too:

http://pinterest.com/pin/138626494751445856/

[JoseyJo]

Our circle time spots on the floor are numbers 1 -12 that we have laminated and contact papered to our laminate floor (like a clock, get it circle TIME?? : The children pick where they want to sit each day and part of circle time is going around the circle and each child saying what number they chose to sit on and a "favorite" in a category (like favorite color or ice cream, or field trip). Our kids love this activity and love to help anyone who doesn't know their number. Fosters teamwork too!

[butterfly]

We count daily on our calendar ... I point to the numbers as we say them. When we add a new day, I pass around the little card with the number on it, and they "trace" it with their fingers.

When we did camping, I had printed out jars on paper, each jar had a number on top, with that many dots in the jar. I cut out little fireflies and they put how many fireflies into the jar that matched the number. Each time we played, we talked about counting the dots in the jar first to figure out what the number on top was.

Rolling dice, so they can count the number of dots, and then mark off that particular number on a sheet would be a fun one, too.

Thanks for responding MsLaura. I love your ideas. I have to go shopping. I did want to get some dice too. I have one 2 year old that still puts EVERYTHING in his mouth, so I'm searching for the bigger sized ones so I don't have to worry about a choking hazard.

[butterfly]

Daily Calendar Time.

These are cute too:

http://pinterest.com/pin/138626494751445856/

We do calendar time and count up to the current day while I point to the numbers, but the kids don't seem to make the connection that the number we say matches what is pictured.

I love those rings! I'd love to use those to talk about color too. lovethis

[butterfly]

Our circle time spots on the floor are numbers 1 -12 that we have laminated and contact papered to our laminate floor (like a clock, get it circle TIME?? : The children pick where they want to sit each day and part of circle time is going around the circle and each child saying what number they chose to sit on and a "favorite" in a category (like favorite color or ice cream, or field trip). Our kids love this activity and love to help anyone who doesn't know their number. Fosters teamwork too!

Love that idea!! Thanks! happyface

[nothingwithoutjoy]

However, no one knows 1 is 1, or one is 1, etc.

Any fun ideas for me?

I just got numbers to put on our stairs. I've also seen them done on chairs.

[MsLaura529]

http://www.commoncoreclassrooms.com/...-pumpkins.html This looks fun to try with the upcoming holiday

You could also put large numbers on the floor, or use a Twister mat, multiples of each number, and call out a number and the kids would need to step, or jump, or hop, or sit on that number.

[butterfly]

I just got numbers to put on our stairs. I've also seen them done on chairs.

interesting. I don't have stairs that the kids can access, but that's an interesting thought. I'll have to think on that one and see if I can come up with another way of using something like that.

[butterfly]

http://www.commoncoreclassrooms.com/...-pumpkins.html This looks fun to try with the upcoming holiday

You could also put large numbers on the floor, or use a Twister mat, multiples of each number, and call out a number and the kids would need to step, or jump, or hop, or sit on that number.

I came across something similar on pinterest. I've been trying it with our current theme. The kids look so confused. :confused: :: We'll keep trying...

I like the twister idea too.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I just coincidentally came across this post today. Uses whatever materials you already have.

[Unregistered]

I see where you are coming from, but I wouldn't worry so much at this point. Keep doing what you are doing and they will eventually make the connection on their own. 2 and 3 year olds are learning a lot and processing it all at once. They may one day surprise you, or their parents.

[MotherNature]

I love a simple magnetic board w/ magnetic letters & numbers. It ca be any size you want, or get a large oil pan from the auto dept of stores & screw it into the wall.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I see where you are coming from, but I wouldn't worry so much at this point. Keep doing what you are doing and they will eventually make the connection on their own. 2 and 3 year olds are learning a lot and processing it all at once. They may one day surprise you, or their parents.

I wouldn't worry about it one bit, either. Just like kids needn't be reading at 3, they don't need to recognize numerals in print. However, I also think many people (myself included) tend to have lots of words in the environment, but not so many numbers. It's worth considering and working to incorporate more numbers into regular life.
A few more ideas:
numbered paving stones as a path through the garden
telephones for dramatic play, esp. paired with a "phone book" you've made of the kids' names and numbers
rocks with numbers painted on them as manipulatives for play
counting books w/large prominent numbers
rulers, scales, measuring cups, measuring spoons, etc (tools w/numbers on them).