Children need to develop a basic number sense. While lots of experiences with numbers is important, for some kids developing number sense is easier than for others. This may be related to learning styles. Following are some fun activities with the number 1 that appeal to different learning preferences and will help with basic number sense and readiness for kindergarten, too.
For kids that seem to learn best by action: Ask your child to hop on just 1 foot. Reach way up high with only1 hand. How high can your child build 1 tower with lots of blocks? Or maybe the blocks might like to be 1 robot. Wow, did you know that a body can be like a number 1? A number 1 is like a line, standing up or on the floor. It’s easy to roll playdough into a number 1 shape.
- For kids that seem to learn best by seeing: When your child is playing, you may want to “place an order” for 1 car, 1 stuffie, 1 block. Your child sees what represents 1 in all kinds of ways. Put 1 plate on the table or look for 1 blanket for a pretend picnic. A rain stick looks like a number 1, too.
- For kids that seem to learn best by hearing and talking: Maybe read a story about 1, like 1 Gingerbread man. Or tell a story about 1. Sing 1 song–at a time. Old Macdonald had lots of animals, but he was just 1 farmer. Play 1 instrument.
Doing lots of different kinds of activities–action, seeing and hearing–will also help kids practice other learning styles as well as developing their understanding of the number 1. This builds both number sense and brain connections for kindergarten readiness.
It’s not much fun, though, to eat just 1 cookie…unless it is very, very big. Can you and your child have a 1derful day?