This matching numbers activity for preschoolers is a simple and fun way to help young children practice early math skills such as number recognition, sequencing, as well as fine motor skills. Included is a free printable to help you to set up this activity easily at home. Math games are a great way to promote learning through play.
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Supplies
- Printed Leaf PDF
- Contact Paper (sticky back plastic)
- Wooden Clothes Pegs
- Sharpie / permanent marker
- Scissors
Print out the Free Leaf PDF here.
Directions
Cut out each leaf from the printed PDF
Cut a large piece of contact paper / sticky back plastic and lay each leaf face down on the sticky side of contact paper. Cut another piece of contact paper and place both sticky sides together to create a bond
Cut each leaf out from contact paper, be sure to leave a small edge so contact paper stays adhered
Number your clothes pegs 1 to 10 using the permanent marker
Place in a basket for children to match the number of dots to the number on the clothes peg
Notes:
It’s okay if there are bubbles in the contact paper. You can smooth them out with a little bit of rubbing once leaves are cut out.
Tip: If you have a laminator your can also use this to cover your leaves in plastic.
How to Play the Matching Numbers Activity
- The easiest way to play with these is to get your child to match the number of dots on the leaves with the correctly numbered peg. Every child learns in different ways but learning through play is ideal, especially at a young age.
- However, you can take things up a notch and practice simple sums and number bonds using these too.
- You can use these leaves in a simple counting game. Learn to count up to ten - and when you have got there you could introduce another language too.
- Try making extra leaves so you have more to play with - great for adding up when number skills have developed a bit more.
- Create a number line - line your leaves up in numerical order. This is a really simple game to increase awareness of math concepts in younger children such as increasing numbers and a great activity for helping to learn to count.
- Roll a dice and play a number game where you have to pick up the leaf with the same number of dots as shown on the dice.
- Ask your child which leaves represent a larger number or smaller number - even if they can't count correctly yet they should be able to identify this by the number of dots on the leaves. A visual task like this is a best way to learn about more and less.
- Use the numbered wooden pegs to practice the concept of number recognition and number names. Your child can put the pegs into the correct order too - a visual number line like this is brilliant for instilling number sense skills from an early age.
- If you have any small figures such as insects / ants etc these would make a great addition to a fun number activities sensory bin or table, along with some autumn coloured playdough and pom poms for an invitation to play. An easy way and fun game to learn all about numbers in a hands-on way
- You can use these leaves in a simple counting game. Learn to count up to ten - and when you have got there you could introduce another language too.
- Whilst most of these games are fantastic fun for a rainy day, a great game in dry weather is to take your laminated leaves outside and get creative with sidewalk chalk. They can draw around the leaves, draw numbers on the ground and place the leaves on the correct numbers. Getting outdoors is a great thing and this activity will make a great start towards strengthening those hand muscles ready for writing.
Remember - the most important thing to remember whilst playing any number recognition game and counting activities is to have lots of fun. Play is an excellent way of helping preschoolers to learn so don't push any of these activities if your little one isn't finding them enjoyable.
What is the Purpose of Playing the Matching Numbers Activity For Preschoolers?
Learning through play is what life is all about for preschoolers and playing games like these are fun, but also secretly help them to develop skills such as learning and recognising numbers, counting, adding, as well as working on their hand muscle development in using the pegs.
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