- Easy ideas for developing number sense through play
- But I know a secret to numbers and kids.
- I’m sharing 3 activities today for developing number sense!
- Let’s think about numbers in the same way!
- It’s all about the number quantity.
- Developing number sense through play is so simple!
- Building number sense with games
- Blasting off into number sense!
- Finding the best ways to learn through play
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Easy ideas for developing number sense through play
I could hear my daughter counting in the other room, “…. eight, nine, ten, ‘weven…” and my heart burst. She was doing it! She was unlocking the counting code. I remember having that same feeling when my son started counting.
But I know a secret to numbers and kids.
A little piece to the learning puzzle that you’ve got to know.
There’s so much more to number sense than just counting or having “your numbers memorized”.
I’m sharing 3 activities today for developing number sense!
When you think about letters, you know they are the building blocks of reading. Each letter has a name, makes a sound (or two or three), and fits together to create words.
Let’s think about numbers in the same way!
When we are developing number sense in early childhood, it’s so easy to stick to the basics: counting and number recognition. Let’s move beyond the basics today and help our kids become fluent mathematicians.
It’s all about the number quantity.
Quantity is a big key to number sense and one that is easily over looked. Yes, my daughter knows the number 8. She can count to 8. But does she really understand what 8 means? That it represents a group of 8 objects?
Developing number sense through play is so simple!
We took our beloved Ladybug Number Match from Lakeshore and set them on a tray. This helps keep the learning space contained and well defined.
My daughter’s goal: count the dots on each ladybug and set them on the matching leaf.
This is our chance to work on one to one correspondence – touching and counting. This tactile learning is so great for her. While she can fluently count to 10, understanding quantity is challenging.
Seeing the dots on the ladybugs helps my daughter to see quantity. Suddenly, she’s shouting out “I see one dot! That goes with 1.”
Building number sense with games
This simple numbers game has my kids buzzing! Using our Lakeshore My First Counting Frame, we created an easy math game.
I grabbed a deck of cards and pulled out the face cards and aces (we don’t need them for this). Now we had only numbers 2-10 to work with,
I set the cards in front of the My First Counting Frame and talked about our goal “use the birds to show the number on the cards.” Remember, it’s all about learning what that numeral means.
This was great. My 27 month old and my 3.5 year old loved it. It was a sibling play together miracle.
Big brother was especially helpful with numbers greater than five, which are more difficult for little sister to count out. He’s a great little teacher.
They took turns pulling cards off the top and counting out the birds. They can really see the numbers now: 5 means 5 birds. The numeral matches the quantity of birds. This is huge.
Blasting off into number sense!
Now that my son (3.5) is grasping numbers more and more, these Lakeshore Number Rockets have been the best challenge for his developing number sense.
These Lakeshore Number Rockets are a game changer in his understanding that numbers can be shown/represented in different ways. He doesn’t say it quite that fancy, but he’s getting it.
We paired the Number Rockets down to numbers 1-10 (we will work on numbers 11-20 later). Together, we put the bases in numerical order and my son sorts the remaining pieces by color.
Then it was go time.
His task: build the number rockets, match the numerals to the amounts shown. What’s awesome here is that he can use the ten-frame side, the object side, or the tally marks side.
Whichever way he chooses, he’s learning so much about numbers. What they look like, how many ways a number can be created…he’s even starting to see patterns in the quantity of objects. Be still my heart!
Finding the best ways to learn through play
Developing number sense is an on-going process throughout childhood. It’s my preference to incorporate learning activities like this into our everyday play – to have fun with it.
Toys from Lakeshore Learning have been a big driving force in our at-home learning. These toys are beautifully made and expertly tested. They’re designed by teachers making them the perfect toys for learning at home. Kids love them, parents love them – and I’m one of those parents!
Looking to grab some toys for growing your child’s number sense? Use this 20% off coupon from Lakeshore Learning! To learn more about Lakeshore, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
$50 eGift Card to Lakeshore Learning
Silvia F says
I love all of your blogs! They help out so much with my almost 3 year old and my 6 month old. Thank you for all of the time and effort you put in to all that you do!
Jodie Flicek says
I love number games! I love that ladybug game!
Proudfarmerswife says
Thank you for the wonderful ideas. Love lakeshore also 🙂
Michele L says
I love using magnet letters or window cling letters to introduce letters to my 2yo! She loves putting the magnets on a baking sheet 🙂
Tiffany Q says
I LOVE the ladybugs! I’ll have to pick those up! Thank you!!
Katie Johnson says
Thanks for your site! I’ve used so many of your ideas! My favorite play based learning game is any type of matching game–memory match, matching shapes, matching letters, etc.
Katie P. says
Love lakeshore learning! Thank you for the great tips!
Courtney says
So great! I have a newly adopted 4 year old from China who would love these!
Lauren says
Love these! We have some number puzzles that Langley goes bananas for so I am sure she would love the rockets as well 🙂
Becca L says
I love the rockets! They would be great for my preschool classroom
Leah says
Love your blog and lakeshore! Thanks for the ideas
Bayley says
Great post! We like to incorporate counting in our everyday conversations with my newly turned 2 year old. We’re just starting to focus on numbers – right now everything is TWO! ?
Diamond says
My favorite play-based learning game is Sight Word Zingo. My LO loves playing Zingo and matching up his sight words.
JulieG says
Love all these Ideas. Heading over to Lakeshore Learning now. Thank
JulieG says
Like be these ideas. Heading over to Lakeshore Learning now. Thank you
Erparkes says
My toddler is into rockets so the Number Rockets is awesome! Thank you!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Last summer we got to visit a Lakeshore store when visiting Chicago. We picked up some great trays that have held many learning activities.
Lynda says
my son’s not quite old enough to learn counting but we love playing cars. he knows how to count 1 and 2 through counting cars. i can’t wait until he’s able to do the ladybug!
Randi Peterson says
We love Lakeshore! One of our favorites are the color sorting blocks. Boys still use them at 4 & 7.
Beth says
How cool! I love Lakeshore and think my daughter would really enjoy these activities!!!