Counting is a big part of math. Preschoolers entering kindergarten should be able to count from one to ten in the correct order, by memory. Other skills your preschooler needs to master are number recognition and object counting. Making a number book is a great way to build these skills while sharing time with your preschooler.
Prepare Materials
To make a simple number book, gather a few materials. 6 (9 1/2” by 11”) pages of light colored construction paper form the book’s pages. To make the content, parents may either use pictures cut from magazines and glue stick or stickers. Fifty-five stickers or pictures will be needed. Other needed materials are markers and a stapler.
Personalize the book by selecting something your preschooler enjoys. For a boy who loves cars, this can easily become his car number book. By personalizing the book, it gives your preschooler more ownership and interest in their number book.
Assemble Book
Fold the construction paper in half and staple folded side together to form a booklet. On the cover, print (your preschooler’s name)’s Number Book. Write the numbers 1 to 10 in the book starting at the top of the next page; one number per page. Print the corresponding number word at the bottom of the page. For example, the first page would have a "1" at the top of the page and the word "one" at the bottom of the page.
Allow your preschooler to decorate the cover any way they wish. Next, assist your preschooler in attaching the correct number of pictures or stickers on each page.
Using the Number Book
This number book can be used to help your preschooler learn math in a number of ways. Number recognition, object counting and learning the numbers in order can all be practiced using this simple book.
First of all, help your preschooler to “read” the book. A preschooler will learn that numbers go in a certain order each and every time. Preschoolers will first master the numbers one through five and build their skills with practice.
Preschoolers will also learn to identify the numerals one through ten. This activity helps preschoolers learn number recognition. In kindergarten, a child will need to be able to tell the difference between two different numbers.
Demonstrate how to object count by counting the stickers or pictures on each page. As your preschooler builds their math skills, they will be counting the objects themselves. At first, preschoolers simply count by memory, and then they will actually begin to count the stickers and realize the numbers have a concrete meaning.
Through a simple home made book, preschoolers begin to learn math concepts. A few minutes spent with simple materials will help your preschool become well prepared for kindergarten.
