Numeral Recognition involves a variety of skills including:
- Numeral identification (recognising all 10 numerals from 0 through 9)
- Knowing each numeral’s name
- Tagging a numeral to a quantity
- Correctly writing the numerals
Numeral Identification
At its most basic level, numeral identification is a form of shape recognition, which can result in a simple association of the word “two” with the symbol ‘2’ without a cardinal meaning (Mix, Sandhofer, & Baroody, 2005). This means that numeral identification can develop at a different rate to number knowledge.
Visual discrimination, or distinguishing a numeral by sight, is an important part of developing numeral recognition. Some numerals have a similar appearance, like 6 and 9, 1 and 7, or 2 and 5 are often confused or written backwards. Children need to be supported to identify and read them in their everyday environment and provided with numerous visual and tactile experiences.
Learning to identify, recognise and write numerals is an important part of early arithmetical development. When a young child learns the name of a numeral it sows the idea that a symbol can stand for a whole word (Mix, Huttenlocher, & Levine, 2002).
When children acquire the skills of identifying numerals, they are ready for the next step, which is understanding the amount each numeral represents.
Practice
Colouring activity from The Measured Mom
- Point out and name numbers on street signs, houses and buildings while you are out and about.
- Find numbers around the house on appliances, telephones, remote controls (remove the batteries and let him play), clocks and thermometers.
- Give your child a calculator and let them to play with the numbers. Ask if they can find the number that shows how old they are and show them the number that shows how old you are. Have them type in the numbers 0-10 in order.
- Purchase a package or two of magnetic numbers. Allow your child to match up pairs of the same number and put the numbers in order. Take a cookie sheet and numbers in the car for on-the-go learning.
Number Line Counting from Learning 4 Kids
Farm Fence Number Ordering Mats from Fairy Poppins
Count to 20 Song from ABC Education
Numbers Car Park Game from B-Inspired Mama
Bottle Top Count and Match from The Imagination Tree
Counting and Number Recognition from Learning 4 Kids
Online Games
Bingo from ABCya.com
Numbers to 10 Balloon Pop from education.com
Numbers 11 to 20 Balloon Pop from education.com
Numbers 1 to 10 Matching from education.com
Number Demolition 1 – 10 from education.com
Number Demolition 11 – 20 from education.com
Tagging a Number to a Quantity
Assigning a number/numeral to a quantity can be a difficult concept for many children as a group of objects is tagged to one or two digits. In other words, the one-to-one relationship does not exist.
This a particular difficulty for children who have the learning difficulty known as dyscalculia.
Practice
Apple Number Quantity Activity from Jady A
Online Games
Hungry Spider from Fuel the Brain
Number Pictures Matching from education.com
Number Trains: numbers 1-10 from FUSE
Number Trains: numbers 1-20 from FUSE
Underwater Counting from Topmarks UK
Correctly Writing the Numerals
I’m sure we’ve all experienced children who write their numerals backwards, particularly, 2 and 5 or 1 and 7. It is important that they are provided with numerous visual and tactile experiences to help develop their muscle memory. Once bad habits are established it’s often difficult for children to change.
Providing resources can be difficult as different education systems use different fonts. I have simply offered a range of free resources hoping that there will be something to suit your purpose.
Practice
When using these resources, think a little more broadly as to how you can extend the visual and tactile aspects. Some ideas include:
Writing the numerals in the air. I usually use a rhyme here so children also have a verbal connection. I’ve provided some rhymes further down. Hopefully there’ll be one that suits your purpose.
Writing the numeral on the back of someone else. Again, using a rhyme.
Rainbow Writing Write the numeral using one colour, then change colour and repeat. I usually do this between 5 and 10 times and encourage children to say the rhyme as they write.
Playdough Numbers Use playdough and pre-made templates to create numbers. This is my favourite playdough recipe, no saucepans but you do need boiling water!!
Bumpy Writing Similar to Rainbow Writing but write on a plastic grid or something with a similar texture. I’ve also purchased a plastic place-mat from my local $2 Shop. Much cheaper than the plastic grid. Once made, the Bumpy Writing sheet can be used for children to trace over with their finger.
Sand Trays I really like this idea from Mama Miss.
http://www.mamamiss.com/2015/07/09/pattern-play/
Sandpaper Numerals
Sandpaper Numerals for tracing (Be careful of the coarseness of the sandpaper as some children may not like the ‘feel’.) Use one of the numeral outlines, provided below.
Victorian Modern Cursive Numbers 0-9 Templates
Playdough and Number Outlines from First Grade Garden. Look at Station 6.
Number Outlines from Stimulating Learning
Number Tracing Cards from The Measured Mom
Numeral Formation Rhymes
Chant and Write from Rourke Classroom
Number Rhyme Cards from Communication 4 All
Writing Numbers Rhyme from K-3 Teacher Resources
From ABC123tv
Handwriting Practice Sheets
Writing Numbers: Free Pages for 1-20 from This Reading Mama
Preschool Handwriting Practice for numbers 0-9 from The Measured Mom
Number Formation Teaching Resources from Sparklebox
Other Ways to Practice
Printable Lacing Cards: Numbers 0 – 10 from Recentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational
Race Car Highway Numbers from Make Learning Fun Use small cars on the tracks. You will need to make sure the children are correctly forming the numbers.
Hopefully you’ve found a resource that will be beneficial for your children.
Until next time,
Carole