How to Teach Numerals to Kindergarten Children

You can teach numerals to kindergarten children.

Teaching numerals to kindergarten children can be a lot of fun. Kindergarten children are curious by nature, and they love to touch objects. By incorporating hands on activities into teaching numerals, kindergarten children will find the lesson fun and learn their numerals without much effort. Here is how to teach numerals to kindergarten children.

Things You'll Need

• Art supplies
• Objects that the child can manipulate
• Paper

Instructions

1. Teach only one numeral at a time. Each lesson should only focus on one numeral. You can review the numerals that the kindergarten children have already learned, but only introduce one new numeral with each lesson.

2. Start with the number 1 and then get larger. In this way, you can always start with the numeral learned last time and then add one to introduce the next numeral.

3. Show the kindergarten children what the numeral looks like. Write the numeral on a whiteboard or a piece of paper, or print out the numeral using a simple font. Next to the numeral, include pictures of that number of objects. For example, if you are introducing the number three, include a picture of three birds next to the numeral.

4. Count out the numeral. For example, if you are teaching the number 5, have five of several objects, such as beads or balls, available for the kindergarten children to manipulate.

5. Explain how to write the numeral. Make writing the numeral fun. For example, a 1 is an "up and down" motion. A 3 has two "whoops" for the curves. Use silly sound effects to make writing the numerals more fun.

6. Encourage the kindergarten children to write the numeral. Many children learn best by doing, so the act of writing the numeral helps the child learn to recognize the numeral when she sees it later.

7. Do an art activity that involves the numeral. For example, have the kindergarten children paste five pictures of dogs onto the numeral 5. Choose activities that the kindergarten children are likely to enjoy.

8. Search for the numeral throughout the week. Between lessons, compete with the kindergarten children to see who can find the most 1's (or whatever numeral the kindergarten children have just learned). Point out license plates, signs and other places where kindergarten children are likely to see the numeral.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to review the numerals that the kindergarten children have already learned, either before or after the lesson, to reinforce the children's learning and to instill confidence.