Learning numbers

[sarah sunflower]

I look after three girls throughout the week,( 2 are 4years next month and 1 is 4 in July)
And they are struggling to recognise numbers, I'm trying to help them by counting everything we do, how many steps, red cars etc! But they fail to recognise numbers wrote down,

What activities would you suggest?
I've increased numbers in my home, stickers with numbers on and corresponding number of dots on the duplo, number lines on doors, number stickers on cars etc,

The same with letters, maybe I'm expecting too much but I just feel bad as my daughter (4) knows her letters/numbers both to say/count and to write down, I just feel like I'm failing my mindees as they can't do it.

Help!!

[Simona]

I look after three girls throughout the week,( 2 are 4years next month and 1 is 4 in July)
And they are struggling to recognise numbers, I'm trying to help them by counting everything we do, how many steps, red cars etc! But they fail to recognise numbers wrote down,

What activities would you suggest?
I've increased numbers in my home, stickers with numbers on and corresponding number of dots on the duplo, number lines on doors, number stickers on cars etc,

The same with letters, maybe I'm expecting too much but I just feel bad as my daughter (4) knows her letters/numbers both to say/count and to write down, I just feel like I'm failing my mindees as they can't do it.

Help!!

I would suggest some matching and sorting activities where in addition to counting, which they can probably do, they learn to actually 'recognise' the numbers as they are written but also link the number of items to the digit...if they are visual learners that should help them

Does it help you?

[hectors house]

I found a good number bingo game (numbers up to 20) on sparklebox which I printed off and laminated - I find that the children can find the numbers if I call them like a bingo caller eg: 1 and 8 is 18 - my 4 and 3 year old mindee can now play the game and recognise numbers up to 20. However they still sometimes struggle if I point to a number and ask them what number it is, but easier if I ask them to find me the number.

Also the children help find the numbers for the calendar (also from sparklebox)

[The Juggler]

simple board games with dice are fun. i would not push it but make it really natural. maybe stick up a number poster or a number line if you have room. a matching game with numbers and objects is good or a number jigsaw puzzle. if they like outdoors, chalk numbers outside just for fun or to play hopscotch maybe?

[zippy]

What are they into, I did some numeral recognition with one of my little boys who was into Thomas the tank. Thomas already had the numerals on, so I then stuck numbers 1-5 onto the engine shed doors to see what he did, he proceeded to put the right engine in the right door, whilst he did it we spoke about the numbers. Find what really centres and interests your individual child or post their interests here and we'll try and give you some ideas to get you started, once you have one idea it's like a steam roller lol

[MessybutHappy]

I've got some narrow carpet samples, I've written the numbers on, I use them on the stairs where they literally climb up the number line, and shows them across the living room floor and they run to them, or add the correct number of items. For the last game I have a tray with one of something, two of something etc and they sort and then place on the cist but of carpet.
My dd went to school unable to recognise numbers, she soon for there, but I do wish she'd had a head start!

[hectors house]

I play Uno with my mindees from about age 3 - (although the box says from age 7), we don't mess around using the miss a go cards or swap a colour cards we just play with the normal coloured cards with numbers on - they arrange their 7 dealt cards in colour lines so I can see them to help - I will then say to whoevers turn it is - have you got a red card or a number 3 (if the card on the centre pile is a red card or has a 3 on it) child then looks at their cards and if they have one that is a red or 3 they add it to the pile in centre - they often learn their colours and numbers through matching what is there and then soon can recognise the numbers for themselves.

I also play frustration game with them as this helps them understand that a number represents how many spaces you can move.

We also play "flounders" (an old game) where you have to throw a dice with dots on (to represent the numbers) and pick up the head, tail, body etc of the flounder.

[sarah sunflower]

Thank you for all your ideas,
Think I'll try and keep in natural and not push them with it.
Uno sounds good idea, as does board games and labeling toys etc

[AdeleMarie88]

Shopping lists are always fun, counting out 5 apples and so on... X