What's The Point

It is important for children to recognize that quantities can be represented in different ways – using numerals, words, drawings or real objects.

Related Game:
Super Duper DJ - Choose the words that start with the correct letter as they travel toward you "Rock Band" style!

This Activity Will Help Your Child

• Understand numerals

Book Suggestions

• Chicka, Chicka 1,2,3
  by Bill Martin Jr.
• Ten Little Rabbits
  by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long

Supplies

• Index cards or construction paper
• Pen or marker

How Do I Do It?

1. Get 12 index cards, or three pieces of construction paper cut into quarters.
2. On six of the cards write a number from 1 to 6, one number per card.
3. On the other six cards write the word names for the same numbers (e.g., "one", "two", "three", and so on).
4. Turn the cards over so the side with the writing is down, and place them in four rows with three cards per row.
5. Invite your child to play a memory game with numbers.
6. Take turns turning over two cards and trying to match the number cards with the word cards. For example, if you turn over a card with the number "2", try to remember where you saw the card with the word "two".
7. Continue playing until you've found all six matches. The person with the most matches wins!

Take It Further

Add a counting step to the game. Gather up groups of different small objects such as coins, paper clips, pencils, small toys, or barrettes. Be sure each group has at least six of the same object. Each time you match two of the number cards, count out that number of objects from one of the groups and put them next to the matched cards. You can also ask your child to look around the room and find that number of the same object (e.g., 3 pictures on the wall, 3 chairs, 3 lamps, etc.). Be sure she points to each object as she counts it (e.g., 1 lamp, 2 lamps, 3 lamps).