![[Childcare] Learn Numbers Through Play! Ideas to Use in Early Childhood Education](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ZPrKasLnXz4/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Learn Numbers Through Play! Ideas to Use in Early Childhood Education
Some teachers may want to incorporate learning and education into childcare.
Also, it might be good for children to remember simple numbers in preparation for starting school.
However, for kindergarten and nursery school children, play is what matters most.
Many teachers may be wondering how to integrate numbers into childcare.
So this time, we’ll introduce ideas for number games that let children learn numbers while playing.
When play is enjoyable, children naturally absorb all kinds of things, right?
Be sure to incorporate number games and help children learn numbers in a fun way.
[Childcare] Learn numbers through play! Ideas to use in childcare (1–10)
Rolling egg carton
This is a game for learning the shapes of numbers.
You’ll make the materials using an egg carton.
First, attach pieces of construction paper labeled with the numbers 1–10 to each compartment of the carton.
If you use different colors for each number, it will make it easier to support kids who are just starting to learn numbers.
Roll up paper into small balls, secure them with tape, and place them in the compartments.
You can use marbles instead.
Tape the egg carton closed so it doesn’t open, and you’re done.
To help children get used to the numbers, make several of these and let them play freely.
Number Fishing Game
Try incorporating numbers into a fishing game.
Make fish with round stickers or similar labels showing numbers, and invite the children by saying, “Where’s the fish with number 1?” Have them take turns catching fish while counting together, or teach them the shapes of the numerals as they fish.
You can prepare multiple fish with the same number and have them search for and catch only that number.
If it’s hard for them to find the right fish, guide them using other features like color.
Since kids love fishing games, they’ll enjoy learning numbers in a fun way.
comparison game
Let’s try comparing numbers! Gather several small items—like plastic bottle caps, clothespins, socks, or paper clips.
At the cue of “Ready, go!” each person grabs some and puts them on their own plate.
Once you’ve grabbed them, hide them with your hands, then reveal and check who got more.
Ask why they think so, or at the end, you can count them one by one like a beanbag toss.
Because you can tell which is more or less at a glance, it’s easy for children to understand, and counting together helps them grasp the concept of number size.
Number SongLyrics by: Yume Nijiji / Music by: Hajime Kotani
This is the “Numbers Song” (Sūji no Uta), which is also sung on NHK’s children’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics associate each number’s shape with familiar things like animals and toys.
For example, the number 2 is a “duck,” and 3 is “ears.” Because the items are all things close to children, it’s easy to remember and lets them enjoy engaging with numbers as they sing.
If the child is old enough to hold a pencil, it might be nice to try writing the numbers while singing.
The song features the numbers 1 through 10.
Number building blocks
Let’s have fun learning numbers using building blocks made from milk cartons! You can make as many blocks as you like, but since the blocks get larger as the numbers get bigger, a set from 1 to 5 is probably best for kids to play with.
Even if they don’t know the numbers at first, try stacking them from small to large while saying, “The biggest one goes on top.” Of course, you can also just let them play freely, and if they show interest in the numbers written on the blocks, explain them then.
Milk cartons by themselves can look plain, so try decorating them with construction paper, stickers, and other materials.
Spindle box
The spindle box is one of the Montessori materials.
It’s a box with compartments labeled with the numbers 0–10, and children place sticks or similar items into each section to learn numbers.
By saying the numbers out loud and visually matching the numeral 1 with a quantity, children can also grasp that 0 means “nothing.” It’s simple but very easy to understand.
You can even make a similar version by hand using recycled materials like milk cartons, so why not try incorporating it into your childcare activities? It doesn’t have to be sticks—anything you can prepare in multiples will work.
[Fingerplay Song] Five Melon Buns
![[Fingerplay Song] Five Melon Buns](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n9g7W2rMz7s/sddefault.jpg)
This is a fun fingerplay song that helps children count using melon bread (melonpan).
Use your right hand to show the numbers, and your left hand to act out the people coming to buy melon bread.
Each time someone comes, fold down one finger on your right hand and say “four left,” “three left,” and so on, decreasing the number.
By playing with this song, children can interact with the numbers 1 through 5, understand number size (that 4 is smaller than 5), and sense quantity as the melon bread decreases.
It also provides practice with subtraction learned in elementary school, so be sure to sing and play along for a fun learning experience!