If you’re struggling with at-home learning, these printable number cards will help you make your little one’s playtime count.
Number counting activities can be a fun and easy way to help your toddler become more familiar with letters, develop their sound recognition and boost their literacy learning. Playing with a set of number cards is a great way to get a little one counting to 10 and beyond, encourage them to recognise patterns and help them to feel more confident when they go back to nursery or school in September.
For these activities, all you need is some floor space, a comfy blanket or rug to sit on. Decorated with whimsical designs, these cards are easy and enjoyable to use. All you need to do is download, print and play to get counting!
Top tip:
To deepen your child’s learning and understanding of each letter, these cards can also be coloured in – perfect if your little one is a visual learner!
Make playtime count with fun number games
What’s your number?
Sit your toddler with each card laid out in a circle around them in numerical order, letters facing down. Ask your child to turn over each card in order and say the name of the number. If they get it right, keep that card facing up; if they’re having trouble with a particular card, calmly say the answer, turn the letter back over and continue on to the next one. After you’ve completed the circle, return to the cards that remain face down and try each one again.
Put everything in order
This activity is particularly good for active, more kinetic learners. Sat on the floor with plenty of space, present your little one with the number cards in a jumble. Invite them to pick each card up one at a time and ask them to lay them down in order. If you think your toddler may be a little unsure about their numbers, start the activity by singing the alphabet song together to give them a little more confidence.
Test their memory
Sat in the same circle as the first activity, arrange each card in numerical order with the numbers facing up. Say each number and ask your little one to find it and give you that card. This is a great way to consolidate what they’ve learned from the previous activities and get them moving and thinking about each number and its place in sequence.
Try a simple sum
Arrange all the number cards in order and pick out different cards to put together. Start at the beginning, with number 1: take the ‘1’ card, the ‘+’, the ‘2’ and the ‘=’ and arrange them in a simple sum. Talk your little one through it and point out which number comes next in the sequence. Ask them if they know what the answer is and calmly show them if they look like they are struggling. Repeat this from 1-9 and come back to any sums that they had trouble with the 1st time around.
As their confidence develops and their knowledge of numbers grows, start to use the ‘-’, ‘x’ and ‘÷’ cards to create more complex sums that will continue to challenge their growing brains.
As with any learning activity, the most important thing is that your little one is having fun. After all, teaching through play is a great way to bond with your child; let their own interest and skill level guide you with each activity. If you use these cards, don’t forget to tag us on @my1styears on Instagram and share your favourite number learning activities so we can see how you’re getting on.
With love,
My 1st Years x