10 Easy Ways for Children to Practice

Writing & Recognizing Numbers

1. Tracing: Provide children with number tracing worksheets or you can make your own by drawing large numbers on paper. Encourage them to trace the numbers using their finger or with a pencil. You can also trace numbers on the driveway or a chalkboard using a wet paintbrush. Tip: Use a highlighter to create the numbers so children see it as a whole number and not at connecting the dots when tracing.

2. Sand, Sugar or Salt Tray: Fill a tray with sand, sugar or salt (lean cuisine trays or similar work great!) and let your child practice writing numbers by using their finger. They can shake the tray and try over and over! Even better, practice at the beach!

3. Number Stamps: Use stamps or stencils to practice stamping or tracing numbers onto paper.

4. Sidewalk Chalk: Have children practice writing numbers on the driveway, and it's super easy to clean it up with a hose!

5. Magnetic Numbers: Grab a set of magnetic numbers for your refrigerator or use a magnetic board. You can also have them practice basic equations too!

6. Number Puzzles: Use number puzzles or number match where children have to match up numbers with another piece with matching one to one correspondence. Check out an easy center here.

7. Dot-to-Dot Worksheets:/Number Recognition Worksheets Use dot-to-dot worksheets to reveal a picture so they can practice counting and recognizing numbers. Also, color by code worksheets are great for recognizing numbers as well. Grab some freebies here.

8. Number Apps: Check out free educational apps that help children recognize and represent numbers such a RoomRecess and Abcya.

9. Number Flashcards: Make or purchase number flashcards. Create a second set and play a game such as Memory. You can also practice counting and saying the numbers aloud.

10. Number Bingo/Tic Tac Toe: Create a bingo card with numbers or groups of objects. Children have to match the number or the group of objects for the number that is called out. You can use play tic Tac Toe but instead of using Xs and Os children pick a number. Great for practicing the tricky numbers.

Bonus! Playdough is also a great fine motor skill activity as well! Children can form the numbers and having a placement with the numbers already on it is great for them to match it up.

Remember to keep the activities fun and enjoy!