Alexander Molteno, Llandudno Primary School principal
Have you ever thought about how counting simple objects might start a child on a journey into the exciting world of numbers?
Number sense is more than just knowing numbers; it’s about understanding their importance and how they work together in daily life.
This key skill shapes a child’s maths abilities and helps them solve problems as they grow.
Number sense means being able to see amounts, know basic maths such as adding and taking away, and understanding how numbers relate to each other.
It lets us make quick guesses, measure things, and make choices based on numbers without just memorising them.
Growing this skill early on helps kids tackle harder maths later on. Kids with good number sense can play around with numbers easily, which makes them better at solving problems and doing well in maths.
Kids start learning about numbers from the moment they’re born, and this learning grows as they get older.
By the time they are six, most kids have a basic understanding of numbers, which is important for their school learning.
The preschool years are a perfect time for parents and guardians to help grow this important skill.
During these early years, kids are naturally curious and eager to learn, which makes it the perfect time to introduce basic ideas that will help them in school later on.
Parents play a big role in helping their kids understand numbers. By including simple, everyday activities, you can really improve their grasp of numbers.
Count everything around you, like toys, fruits, and blocks. This helps kids see amounts and how numbers work together.
Play number games like Uno or simple card games to make learning numbers fun.
Use numbers in daily tasks, such as cooking or shopping, where your child can count ingredients or items to buy.
This makes learning about numbers useful and real. Talk about amounts and comparisons often, using words like more, less, bigger, and smaller to build an understanding of maths ideas.
Here are some fun, hands-on activities that make learning numbers enjoyable: Fill a jar with beans or marbles and have your child guess how many are inside.
This activity not only makes them think about amounts but also introduces them to ideas like how much space things take up.
Have your child sort objects by size, colour, or type, which helps them notice patterns and relationships. Use objects for simple adding and subtracting exercises to make these ideas clear.
Have your child measure furniture or room sizes with a tape measure, teaching them to measure and see how numbers are used in real life.
Number sense is more than just a school skill; it’s needed for everyday life.
By making number activities fun and a regular part of your day, you can help your child feel confident and curious about numbers.
Let’s make maths a friendly thing for our kids, one number at a time. Every time they play with numbers, they understand more and find new ways to learn.
Let the numbers be fun, and watch our children’s maths skills grow.
