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5 Number Recognition Activities for Toddlers

Mathematics plays a critical role in early childhood development as it helps children develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and spatial awareness. Through number recognition activities for toddlers and babies, children learn to count, recognize shapes, and understand basic mathematical concepts such as addition and subtraction. Early exposure to mathematics also prepares children for success in later academic and life pursuits, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Additionally, teaching maths to young children helps them build confidence in their abilities and sets a foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Number recognition is an important skill for toddlers to develop as they begin to explore and enjoy the world of counting and numbers. Not only does it lay the foundation for more complicated counting skills, but it also helps children understand the world around them.

Here are five number recognition activities for toddlers that you can try at home with your little one. 

1. Counting Songs

Counting songs for number recognition are a fun and interactive way for toddlers to learn numbers. You can find a variety of counting songs online, or even make up your own! Singing along to a song can help your child remember the sequence of numbers.

Singing number songs with young children is an excellent way to promote their mathematical thinking skills. By learning and singing songs that involve numbers, children can develop a strong foundation in numeracy while having fun and engaging in a creative activity. Number songs can help children learn to count, recognise numbers, and understand basic mathematical concepts such as addition and subtraction. Additionally, singing encourages language development and improves memory retention, making it an effective way to reinforce and consolidate mathematical concepts. Engaging in musical activities can also promote creativity, self-expression, and socialisation. Overall, singing number songs with young children can foster a love for mathematics and help them develop important mathematical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

2. Counting Steps and Jumps 

Everyday physical activities can provide excellent opportunities for young children to develop their mathematical thinking skills. Counting steps when walking down the stairs, for example, is an excellent number recognition activity for toddlers, as theylearn to count and develop a sense of number. Similarly, counting objects during everyday activities such as setting the table, putting toys away, or picking up sticks in the park can help children develop their counting skills and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. By integrating mathematical thinking into everyday activities, children can develop a strong foundation in numeracy and problem-solving skills.

3. Cooking Sessions 

Cooking activities are not only a fun and engaging way for young children to learn about food and nutrition, but they also provide numerous opportunities for developing mathematical thinking. Measuring ingredients, following recipes, and counting portions all involve mathematical concepts such as fractions, ratios, and measurement. Through cooking, children can also learn about different shapes, sizes, and patterns as they cut fruits and vegetables or arrange toppings on a pizza. Additionally, cooking can promote critical thinking skills as children problem-solve and make decisions about which ingredients to use and how much to add. Engaging in cooking activities can help children develop important maths skills while also fostering independence, creativity, and a love for healthy food.

4. Water and Sand Play 

Water and sand play are not only fun activities for young children, but they also offer numerous opportunities to develop mathematical thinking. When playing with water, children can learn about measurement and volume as they pour and fill containers of different sizes. They can also explore concepts like floating and sinking, and understand basic physics principles. Similarly, playing with sand can help children understand geometry and spatial relationships as they create shapes and structures using different tools. They can also practise counting, sorting, and measuring by using scoops, buckets, and measuring cups. Engaging in water and sand play can foster creativity and curiosity in children, while also promoting important mathematical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Use bathtime with jugs and containers as a great opportunity to develop this, or if possible a trip to the beach can provide countless ways of learning mathematical concepts. 

To allow your child to embrace learning in an outdoor environment, they can practice counting with conkers.

5. Shape Sorting and Hunt 

Use different coloured shapes and have your toddler sort them by colour and shape, while counting how many of each shape they have. You can hide shapes in the garden or around their room and get them to count them as they find them. You could use stones, sticks or leaves as part of this game. 

Shape sorting is a great number recognition activity for toddlers, helping them to s develop their mathematical skills. Sorting shapes by colour and shape helps children understand basic concepts of categorisation and classification, which are fundamental to mathematical thinking. Counting the number of each shape they have also helps toddlers develop their counting skills, and reinforces the idea that numbers represent quantities.

As they sort the shapes, toddlers are also developing their fine motor skills by picking up and manipulating the shapes. They are also learning to identify and recognise different shapes, which is an important precursor to geometry.

Learning Through Creativity and Fun at All About Children

At All About Children, we encourage development through enjoyment and fun. If you’d like to find out more about our nursery environment, please book a tour or contact us. 

What Our Parents Say

Our girls are so happy at PlayPlus, we feel very fortunate to have found such a nurturing environment for them. The team are all incredibly kind and caring and know the children really well. The outside space is brilliant and we love it when they bring home all of their art work and show us what they’ve been up to with their friends!

Parent of Child

I love PlayPlus. I visited every single nursery in Hemel Hempstead before I finally decided on PlayPlus. I feel 100% comfortable and happy dropping our daughter here on my working days. Me and my partner liked that PlayPlus feels like a home from home. It is just off the a41 but also feels like it is nestled in countryside. There is a good amount of parking. There is a large garden at the back for the children to play in and a good sized garden in the front. The staff are friendly and welcoming and I particularly liked that the staff were experienced rather than school graduates. Our daughter at 3 years old can already count well, recite the alphabet and is competent with colours and shapes. She was speaking fluently by 2 years old which made our life a lot easier! There is no doubt that PlayPlus have helped our daughter develop and progress. So much so our younger daughter will be joining next month. I have and will continue to recommend PlayPlus to our friends and family

Parent of Child

Our daughter is soon to leave and, despite being keen to start school, she'll really miss coming here. She's been very here and always comes out smiling - especially going back after lockdown! The staff in both the baby unit and Kingsway are excellent and it's clear they really care about the children in their groups. The garden is also fantastic and it's great that the children get to spend so much time outside. Our son will be starting in the baby unit soon and we know we'll be leaving him in good hands.

Parent of Child

Friendly and relaxed atmosphere – it’s a home from home, the staff are brilliant, I couldn’t wish for more.

Parent of Child

Whatever time I drop my child into the nursery the staff are always playing and interacting with the children

Parent of Child

Very talented and caring staff. My son really loved this nursery. He learnt a lot in all aspects from communication, relationship building, being independent, to learning maths, shapes, letters, word, sentences etc. Really pleased with the development. Thanks to all the lovely staff, you are all the best.

Vaibhav H (Father of Child)

My daughter has been in the nursery since the Baby Room. It has been an incredible journey. Now she is in the pre-school and every day she is excited to go to the nursery. She loves the staff, her key worker, the other kids, the setting (especially the garden). She really enjoys all the activities organised through the week/day. She enjoys and has fun while learning. The staff encourage and support multilingual families making the kids feel proud they can speak more than one language. Now the staff are also getting her ready to go to school this September. The staff have always been amazing, very approachable, flexible and caring.

B C (Father of Child)

The staff are so kind and caring, they all know my daughter even those in different rooms. She skips in to see them every day and they are as excited as me when she does new things. It's a home away from home.

H G (Mother of Child)

I can't thank the staff enough for giving me peace of mind when my child is with them. The number and variety of activities each day is amazing and the fact they manage to get in the garden or go on trips - even in winter is fantastic. My child's development is streets ahead of his peers who don't attend nursery.

S H (Mother of Child)

The nursery has a lovely nurturing and vibrant atmosphere which my son loves. There is plenty of space for him to explore and learn via the vast range of toys and equipment they have. I know he is well cared for. I am always well informed and I work together with the nursery staff to give my son the best possible experience.

Claire F (Mother of Child) 

The care, consideration and attention my son receives is exemplary. Staff pay attention to his strengths and weaknesses and verbalise them to us and ideas for developing them are implemented. All staff demonstrate an excellent attitude and have excellent relationships with their designated children.

A D (Father of Child)

The staff were warm, caring and professional and the facilities are great. We felt like our daughter was part of a big family. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all working there.

E S (Mother of Child)

I have been impressed by the level of care given to my son since he started. The daily warm welcome of the staff makes both children and parents alike feel at ease. Seeing the smile on my boy's face as we drive into the car park is proof enough for me that the team are doing something right.

Alexander M (Father of Child)

My little girl has recently started and is absolutely loving her time at nursery. The settling in sessions were brilliant and really helped put my mind at ease, especially with me starting back at work. The ladies in the Baby Room are super friendly and enthusiastic and I can't thank them enough for their support in what could have been quite an emotional rollercoaster.

G W (Mother of Child)

Once I drop my son off into the Baby Room, I feel he's as safe and as well looked after as I do at home.

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