Fun ways of getting DS1 to recognise his numbers...?

[robin3]

He can count but can't identify the numbers...don't think he's interested but pre-school saying we need to reinforce these more.

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

how old is he?????

[robin3]

Just turned 4

[IdrisTheDragon]

Is he into Thomas the Tank Engine?

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

I really wouldn't worry about it - DS1 could count at the start of Nursery but didn't really recognise numbers until much later in the school year. Infact he was in reception class before he could confidently recognise his numbers up to 20.

[IdrisTheDragon]

Or Numberjacks?

(Idris realises the ways in which DS (and increasingly DD) have come to recognise numbers ).

[Chattyhan]

we have some i spy books that an american family gave us where you have to find certain objects in a busy picture and one of them is a numbers book? i could give you an isbn no. if that helps?

[gordieracer]

Mine likes to read out the numbers on peoples doors as we walk by

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

oh meant to say - he's in YR2 now and in most of the top groups for maths (they change groups within different lessons, so someone that's great at multiplication could be in the top group when they're covering that, and they could be dire at subtraction so in the bottom group when they do subtraction).

[robin3]

Personally I'm not worried but school have prompted me. We've got lots of number books but he knows what the numbers are by counting the items on the pages.

Perhaps if I write the numbers 1-10 on various sheets and stick round the house I could send him off with a sheet with No 1 and ask him to find all the ones and so on? Then eventually I could just say the number to him rather than having a sheet for him to refer to? We used to run round looking for hidden scrabble letters when I was a kid then they all made in to a word...auh fond memories...

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

honestly robin I really wouldn't do any more than you're currently doing. If he wasn't going to pre-school (which he doesn't have to do) then he'd either learn then naturally at home with you, or like a LOT of children would learn when he starts reception.

[mumtoone]

Why not try looking for numbers when you are out and about with your child. I always found the supermarket a great place to learn number recognition (or more importantly to distract my son so I could do the shopping). Number plates are also good although I might just have a son who is a bit number obessesed.

[cazboldy]

my children have all learned their numbers from the cows backsides! but that might be tricky unless you live on a farm!

[Miaou]

This is what I did with nursery children re. numbers:

Large circles cut out of card, each with a number on (start with 1 to 3 or 1 to 5). Put them on the floor (with a bit of blu tac underneath to secure them), then get child to throw a beanbag or toy onto a circle (eg "throw the beanbag onto number 1" etc) (if you don't have a bean bag use a beanie toy!)

Skittles - number each one, give them a ball to roll along - try to get them to aim at a numbered skittle. Doesn't matter if they don't hit it - "oh you hit number three instead" etc - just reinforcing the number with the name iyswim

If you have stairs and don't object to your kids playing on them (my dh would have a fit at me suggesting this ) stick a number onto a stair (spread out) then call out "two!" or whatever and your child has to run to the right stair. If you don't have stairs or think that's not appropriate, then stick numbers round the room or garden, shout out a number then child has to run to that number.

[slng]

Get a clock with uncomplicated clock face. Tell them their favourite tv programme is on when short pointer is at x and long pointer is at y and not to pester you until then. Works for 3 1/2 year-old...

[southeastastra]

sesame street site on pbs has some funny games that are educational

[wrinklytum]

How about using the computer keyboard,or buying a little calculator?.DS favourite current pastime is to sit at the computer and I say "Gimme a 4" and he types 4 and we do a high five or if he gets it wrong I go "Oooh noooo" in a silly voice that makes him laugh and we try again...also works with letters!!!(He spelt his name unprompted today,boastful mummy emoticon)We don't do it for ages and ages,just when hes in the mood for it.

[S1ur]

I'd wait until he was interested, I think that unless there in receptive phase its too much hard work and no fun.
I made a game for my dd, variation on a well used theme.
you have dots and printed numbers and you mattch them. My version was speckled frogs (dotted) and numbered lily pads in a pond - then you can either pick from free choice or if he can handle game playing you could put them face down and pick randomally of in a pile and take truns, whatever really - the point is to match up and 'fill your pond with frogs' You can of course adapt to particular interests so...
ice cream cones and tops with sprink;es or maybe spotted diggers and builders, footballers and balls?????

[OldenGoldie]

Many moons ago I was told to stick colourful sheets on the back of each step of the stairs so as you can see them as the climb up, first step 1, second step 2 etc etc. Then play the counting stairs game when you go up and down. When that has grown old, take the sheets off to hoover or something and play a game of putting them back in the right place (lots of fun and silliness to reinforce correct and incorrect places).

I found it was a game that really stuck and my children still talk about it!

A variation of the same game works for basic words too, we made lables for things - Cup, Table, Fire etc, just using them at random times when it is fun and fits in, later on we took some down and played "who can get them back in teh right place quickest" game.

[robin3]

Thanks everyone!

[fullmoonfiend]

playing with play doh or cookie dough and making them into number shapes is a good way of reinforcing the 'look' of numbers or letters.