https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:49:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582680 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:28:53 +0000 honeybear 2582680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: I look forward to it! :) Have a good vacation!</p> <p>@ElbieKay: Well, I just fell down the rabbit hole of Lehrer's other works on YouTube. :wink: And then of course I had to listen to the Major-General's song, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582184 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 08:27:07 +0000 ElbieKay 2582184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: Exactly! His name is Tom Lehrer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582178 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 08:24:27 +0000 matador84 2582178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: not a hard time! I enjoy a good discussion--on my phone now (vacation!) when I get back I hope I remember to type my longer response!</p> <p>@ElbieKay: yes, opportunities like you mentioned are perfect daily math "instruction!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582138 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 07:54:53 +0000 looch 2582138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: Yes, I think you're right...thank you for that (kinesthetic learning). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582101 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 06:23:57 +0000 honeybear 2582101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: :wink: "The Elements" guy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582042 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:51:34 +0000 Bao 2582042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I read through all of your replies, but I'm too lazy too individually respond at almost 11pm ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582014 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:09:55 +0000 ElbieKay 2582014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: Thanks, I definitely look for opportunities to count, but I don't think it has clicked yet. I will try to incorporate counting backwards. We live on the fifth floor and take the elevator all the time. I used to always count but have gotten lazy about it so maybe I will resume. We can count backwards on the way down!</p> <p>The comment about seeing sets of things is a very good point too. Maybe I will look into buying some dominos.</p> <p>I know a lot about math -- I have a masters degree in applied math -- but I don't know much about early education and need to think more about how to break down concepts for a toddler!</p> <p>Thanks for taking the time to share all of those ideas :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2582005 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 20:55:57 +0000 ElbieKay 2582005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: @honeybear: Base 10 versus Base 8:</p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581974 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 19:41:18 +0000 honeybear 2581974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: Let me preface this by saying that I’m not trying to give you a hard time. I view this as a friendly math discussion, and I hope you do, too. :happy: </p> <p>Base 5 is a numeral system where there are 5 symbols used to express all numbers, and those symbols are 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (but actually you can pick any 5 distinct symbols you like and it’s still a base 5 system). There are five of them, which is why it’s called “base 5,” just as in our base 10 system, we have the 10 digits 0-9. The reason "6" is expressed as 11 in base 5 is that the 1 on the left of the 11 means "one five" and the 1 on the right means "one one." There is no separate digit for 6 in a base 5 system. In base 5, "5" is expressed as 10, "7" is 12, "8" is 13, "20" is 40, etc. It's fun to play around with, but I don’t see why it would be a good idea to start there when we live in a largely base-10 world. </p> <p>I think based on what you wrote and the bit of the preview I read on Amazon that the authors of the books you linked use the term “base 5” to mean that, to start, you just work with natural numbers up to and including 5 to introduce concepts like groups, ordering, adding, and subtracting. But that isn’t really using base 5, that’s just limiting the universe of terms you start with. I don’t understand why a text on teaching math would purposely choose to use a well-defined mathematical term incorrectly. </p> <p>I think that counting and understanding quantity and associating a number of objects with the appropriate numeral is something that all parents can and should help their children learn to do. It isn’t difficult, but it’s easy to make it look hard, and I don’t like when I see that happen because I think it scares parents off who shouldn’t be scared off. What I would point out about the books is that terms like “subitizing” and “base 5” (especially if it isn’t even being used correctly) obfuscate the fact that learning how to count and do basic math can be taught easily in many different ways with whatever resources are available to parents without any special expertise beyond knowing how to count/do basic math and thinking carefully about how to present it to the child, just as your reply to Elbiekay indicates. (And I think those are all good suggestions!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581942 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 18:19:52 +0000 matador84 2581942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: My opinion is it is never to early to develop number sense. Just having informal conversations at stores, especially while shopping create math talk. "How many are we putting in the cart? 1, 2, 3 apples. How many are there? 3. If we put one more in, how many is that?" things like that. There are always opportunities that present itself to count. My kids are constantly counting--we'll count cars that drive through traffic lights, look out windows at our house and count cars that drive by, etc. Often parents I talk to about number sense forget that backwards counting is just as important as forward counting. One of my math trainers taught me that everytime you count forward you count backwards too. Obviously this is hard when you get into higher quantities, but especially within base of 20 this is critical to developing number sense.</p> <p>Using dominos and playing cards are some of the easiest ways to start developing early number sense and you can play endless amounts of games. </p> <p>These are some things I like to work on with children anywhere between 2 and 5 depending on development/readiness:<br /> Counting forwards/backwards 0-10<br /> number word after 0-10 (what comes after 3? what comes after 8?) just off any number, not within rote counting<br /> number word before 0-10 (same as above)<br /> numeral identification 0-10<br /> (I prefer to work 0-5 first like I mentioned above before 6-10, but as I said this depends on development/readiness ages 2-5)<br /> recognizing 1-5 in a line with counters (when asked how many? do they have to use their fingers to count, touch to count, etc)<br /> counting a small unorganized set of objects (same observations as the one above...do they have to touch with fingers, eye touch, etc)</p> <p>Math and early numeracy is something I am very passionate about...especially with little ones! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581711 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:32:56 +0000 ElbieKay 2581711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I think it's kinesthetic learning.</p> <p>@matador84: What age is appropriate to start some of this stuff? I have a 2y4mo who can count, but he doesn't really understand any of the associated concepts. He can recognize one item or two items. He has just recently started counting accurately every once in awhile, but most of the time he does it incorrectly.</p> <p>However, I did teach him to answer the question, "What is the derivative of x^2?" But that's because I am a math nerd :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581520 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:44:02 +0000 looch 2581520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has a really strong connection between being able to form something and identifying it, I know there must be a term for it, but I don't know what it is. In any event, what is key for my son is being able to form the number, letter, shape, etc. There are a ton of activities for this, including tracing in sand and forming using play dough and activity mats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581506 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:15:42 +0000 matador84 2581506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: I don't know what you mean 6 as 11. if there are 6 dots as a standard die spatial pattern, that equates with 6. </p> <p>Base 5 refers to all types of number and combinations 0-5. The system and research I am referring to is wholly numeracy based. </p> <p>This book is very evidence-research based but if you are into reading a lot of numerical theory and interested in teaching early number it is a great book to start with: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Number-Classroom-year-Recovery/dp/1412907586" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Number-Classroom-year-Recovery/dp/1412907586</a></p> <p>This is also an excellent book for all children teaching early number and guiding principles for numeral identification/recognition. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Number-Advancing-Childrens-Strategies/dp/1412921856/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&#038;dpID=513-8DLydUL&#038;dpSrc=sims&#038;preST=_AC_UL160_SR112%2C160_&#038;psc=1&#038;refRID=77YK0EDAMNN2MGGAJJ44" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Number-Advancing-Childrens-Strategies/dp/1412921856/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&#038;dpID=513-8DLydUL&#038;dpSrc=sims&#038;preST=_AC_UL160_SR112%2C160_&#038;psc=1&#038;refRID=77YK0EDAMNN2MGGAJJ44</a></p> <p>I used to be an advocate for within base 10, but as students got older we started delving into the research--why they can't quickly recall facts, understand place value, etc. and discovered it was because they were not yet facile within base of 5. I also totally agree with what you mentioned about the abacus--often a most underutilized math tool but incredibly beneficial in teaching number.</p> <p>@bao: another good app is montessori numbers--uses quantity and other items to help with recognizing sets in a group as well as numeral id! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581503 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:11:14 +0000 Truth Bombs 2581503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: LOVE this idea!! Plays right in to my LO's OCD tendencies :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581498 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 08:59:31 +0000 honeybear 2581498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 3-4 years old, we also did these types of things:</p> <p>1) continue to observe groups in the child's environment (e.g., "look, there are two birds in that tree," and "see the five people waiting for the bus at the bus stop") and write down the numeral to show to the child</p> <p>2) read number/counting books</p> <p>3) observe number notation in the environment (e.g., "see that sign, it says 2 avocados for $1, here are two avocados to put in the cart" and "that sign says 30 mph")</p> <p>4) measure things with a measuring tape or ruler</p> <p>5) play hopscotch</p> <p>6) play with an abacus, beads on a string, little plastic soldiers/dolls/toys, etc. and make/reorganize groups while doing it</p> <p>@matador84: Do you really mean that you'd teach a 3 or 4 year old playing Chutes and Ladders that "6" (as you and I refer to it, and as it appears on the spinner in the game) is actually expressed as "11"?</p> <p>I suspect the research says to teach multiples of 5 before multiples of 10, not base 5 before base 10. </p> <p>But if the research really says base 5 before base 10, I still would not teach base 5 (which means this, for anyone else who is reading: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinary" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinary</a> ) first. It's not hard to understand base 5 (or any other system, including ones that are regularly used like base 2 and base 16) once you've learned the decimal numeral system. And since just about everyone on the planet uses base 10 on a daily basis, I think it's probably advisable to start there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581451 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:53:41 +0000 mediagirl 2581451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: we have started doing flash cards - we use UNO cards as our flash cards. Ha! My goal is to get her to learn her numbers by the time she is 4.5 so we can actually play Uno together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581429 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:11:33 +0000 MrsSRS 2581429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for the Endless Numbers app, because what works is exposure and repetition and this is a fun way to get that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581428 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:07:01 +0000 littlebug 2581428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>D likes the Endless Numbers app. And the Dracula book from the BabyLit series. He also has a Melissa and Doug number puzzle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581341 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:49:43 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2581341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The app monkey preschool lunchbox is great, it does counting, grouping, patterns, etc :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581307 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 19:40:22 +0000 mrsjazz 2581307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO used to like this game I made up for her. I had some left over popsicle sticks and I wrote the numbers from 1-20 on popsicle sticks and we'd throw them up and let them fall. In the beginning we would work together to find the numbers and line them up...after a while she'd do it herself. She liked throwing them in the air and organizing them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581280 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:19:44 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2581280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd start with counting books, keep it natural. LO loves 10 Trick or Treaters. We read it all year long! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581220 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:18:48 +0000 matador84 2581220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try quantities and counting before numeral identification. also important is what is called spatial pattern recognition (like patterns on dice). You can use dominos or cards like these here: <a href="http://duinanddobber.sfinstructionalresources.wikispaces.net/Resources" rel="nofollow">http://duinanddobber.sfinstructionalresources.wikispaces.net/Resources</a></p> <p>at first children in early number learning have to count the dots one by one, then start working with them on questions like, "what is one more?" "what is one less?" "what is two more?" "what is two less?"</p> <p>moving on past that--then work on quick flashes of the dot pattern (called subitizing in the math world), and once they have mastered that introduce the numeral. math research indicates to always work in base 5 before moving to base 10 and 20. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581211 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:08:59 +0000 Mama Bird 2581211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has a baby train set made of blocks, with numbers on the blocks. I think it helped, but it took him a looong time... he wasn't ready till he was ready! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581156 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:53:11 +0000 daniellemybelle 2581156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO learned to recognize numbers with the app Endless Numbers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2581133 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:23:55 +0000 Mamaof2 2581133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>not fun but we did flashcards before bed each night </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2580863 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 08:05:48 +0000 jhd 2580863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO has learned numbers with YouTube videos, games on the kindle, and just lots of repetition. He used to always hold up the pieces of his number puzzle so I would tell him what they were. Now he shows them to me and tells me what they are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fun-ways-to-learn-numbers#post-2580859 Tue, 05 Jul 2016 08:00:20 +0000 Bao 2580859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am looking for fun ideas to teach numbers. She knows how to count and counting how many there are of something, but she can't recognize very many of them. We were playing Chutes and Ladders last night and she only knew about 2 of the 6 numbers. </p> <p>Any fun ideas for helping her recognize numbers? </p>