Activities

Explain to the children, “I am thinking of a number that describes how many feet a cat has. Can you tell me, Number Detectives?” The children would answer “four.” Be sure to include zero in your clues.

You will need number cards, lots of bottle tops and a timer. Write numerals on the bottle caps and turn them upside down. Have a child draw a card, this is the number everyone is trying to find.

During outdoor play, write the numerals one to five with chalk on the sidewalk or on a wall. Go on a hunt with the children to find one object to place by the numeral one, two objects to place next to numeral two, and so on.

Provide cards in the math center with numbers and/or symbols on them. The children choose a card and act out the number on the card with their body or using gestures so that the other children can guess the number.

Place numeral cards throughout the room in obvious locations. Encourage the children to find a card and return to the group. Say, “You found the numeral three.

Give the children paper plates with the numerals 0–10 written on them. Give the children magazines and encourage them to go on a number hunt. Cut out any numbers they see, and place them on the corresponding plates.

Use a sentence strip to make a number line and cut the number line up so the children have individual numbers. Give the children the numbers mixed up and have them place the numbers in order.

Use a sentence strip to make a number line and cut the number line up so the children have individual numbers. Give the children the numbers mixed up and have the children place the numbers in order.

Provide the children with number lines to look at, sentence strips and number stamps or pens for writing. Encourage the children to create their own number lines.

Prepare cards of the same number using pictures of different objects; one card with three bears, another with three trees and another with three hearts. Repeat for other numbers.

You will need the book Fiesta! by Ginger Guy, numeral cards one through 10, picture cards that match the items in the book, and magnets. Pass out the numeral cards to the children.

You will need number cards, with two cards of each numeral. Place the cards face down and allow the children to take turns flipping over two cards at a time. Encourage the children to say the numerals on the cards.

Provide matching numeral puzzles or make your own. Cut a 4" x 6" piece of cardboard in half with a distinctive edge, like a puzzle piece. Make each puzzle edge different.

You will need two calculators. Line the class up in two lines. Stand in front, a few feet away, and call out a number for the first children in line to type into the calculator.

Cut large number figures out of paper, and hide them around the room or on the playground. Give each child a number card, and have each child locate the match.

Label different areas of the playground with the numerals one through four. You will also need dot cards one through four. Flash the card of your choice to the children and have them go to the area that matches the number you flashed.

During outdoor time, label different areas of the playground with the numerals one through four. You will also need dot cards one through four.

Introduce number stories in large group by providing a variety of objects and inviting the children to act out the story. For example, say, “Kendra has six feathers and Michael has two feathers.

Write numerals on ping-pong balls, using numerals as high as the children can count, one to five or one to ten. Give children each a small cup. Provide plastic containers filled with beans for children to throw the balls into.

Under close supervision, take the children for a walk around the center to look for printed numerals in the environment. Ask them to touch or point to numerals they see.