Number recognition is a blast outside! 

You know how it goes. Water + more water = instant hit. 

So let’s use what we know here, and find a way for our preschoolers to learn through play by adding some numbers. 

Related: Learning activities are our jam. Here you can find our favorite kid activities at home! 

Teaching your child numbers starts with play every single time. 

My goal here is for my preschoolers to begin to recognize numbers and number names. 

Fancy terms, we call this guided play. In guided play, I have a skill that I want my preschoolers to explore, and so I set up an intentional play prompt for them to dive in. 

Here, I am asking my preschooler to call out the number he hits.

I’ve got the four! 

I just hit the seven! 

What number is this, mom? I just squirted this one here…

Having number recognition games available to your preschoolers will encourage them to be exposed to the way a number looks more often than not. 

We do a lot of guided play with our Breakfast Invitations, and this Startup Guide is going to give you all the details on how to do the same! 

Preschoolers that learn through play are willing to take more risks. 

Putting numbers on a worksheet for a child to recall can be pretty intimidating! Add some elements of play, and their guard comes down. 

Now, they are welcoming you into sharing more with you on what you can continue to help him/her better understand. 

Eventually, your preschooler will not only recognize the number name but will also subitize. (which is a fancy name for identifying a group of objects without having to count.) This video is a great resource. 

RELATED:  Have a toddler? Here is a fun math activity for toddlers. 

This number recognition game is also helping with fine motor strength. 

This is a huge help when it comes to writing and cutting. There are many stages of pencil grip and squeezing the bottles will help move your preschooler along. 

Let’s make this math game! 

Materials:

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The Set-Up Directions 

• Fill your bin with water.

• Insert floating cookies.

• Add a couple of drops of paint to your squeeze bottles.

• Add water to your squeeze bottles.

• Invite your toddler or preschooler to come to squirt the numbers.

This is how you begin to introduce numbers through play! Setting up intentional, guided math play at home works on helping your child better understand important concepts.

When will you make this number recognition game?