9 Hands-on Maths Number Activities for Kindergarten
If you are wondering how to teach your kindergarten students their number concepts and make learning numbers fun, you need to harness the magic of hands-on learning. It can feel overwhelming when you first look at all the math curriculum learning intentions for the Number and Algebra strand. I hope this blog post helps you see that it doesn’t need to feel that way though.
In this blog post, you will discover 9 play-based math activities for kindergarten number activities. These are tried and tested activities your kindergarten kids will love. Use them in your early year’s classroom, and your students will master their basic number sense concepts in no time.
Understanding numbers is an important math skill we need to get right in the early years classroom. Number concepts are intertwined throughout all the other areas of the curriculum, so it is important your students really understand them. Understanding numbers is important because there are so many real-world applications too.
Your young students will build the foundations for working with numbers in kindergarten. These foundational skills will be built upon each year, with more difficult math concepts being introduced with each grade level.
It is important you provide many opportunities for your young students to explore and practice their numerical skills because mastering the basics now will set them up for success in the next stage and grade.
Kindergarten Number and Algebra Skills
Number and Algebra are an essential part of the Australian math curriculum.
The Number strand in ACARA addresses ways of working with the ideas and knowledge we have around counting, measuring, and other means of quantifying situations and objects.
In kindergarten, the Number strand is all about helping our little ones develop a strong foundation with numbers from zero to at least 20. We teach our students to make connections between number names and numerals, to develop subitising and counting strategies, to quantify collections, and to compare the size of collections (to at least 20).
Kindergarten kids need to learn how to partition and combine collections of up to 10 in different ways and how to represent their understandings of numbers. We also need to provide our students with opportunities for them to represent practical situations that involve quantifying, equal sharing, grouping, adding to, and taking away from collections - up to at least 10.
The Algebra strand in ACARA addresses patterns. In kindergarten, our students need to learn how to recognise, copy and continue repeating patterns represented in many different ways.
By developing a strong foundational understanding of numbers and algebra, our kindergarten students can become active and productive citizens. They need to understand number and algebra concepts to not only be successful in their future learning but also in their future adult work and daily lives. It's amazing how much we rely on and use numbers and number concepts.
So, what is the most effective way to teach all these important ACARA math learning intentions?
Well, I believe it all starts by creating an effective learning environment where your students can develop their number sense and become confident with numbers!
ACARA Math Curriculum – Foundation Stage
The Australian Mathematics Curriculum is organised into three content strands. They are
Number and Algebra
Measurement and Geometry
Statistics and Probability
These content strands are intertwined and build on each other. Leave out any one of these content strands, and your students will be left with gaps in their math skills and understandings. Developing number and algebra skills is just one part of effective mathematics instruction.
If you are interested in learning more about the ACARA Math Curriculum, check out this blog post: Teaching the F-2 ACARA Math Learning Intentions Through Play Blog Post
This blog post explains in detail all about our F-2 ACARA Math Curriculum and how you can teach ALL those Australian Curriculum math learning intentions through a play-based pedagogy.
Australian Curriculum Number Skills
The Australian curriculum (Version 9) outlines 6 content descriptors for the foundation stage number strand.
You will need to provide learning experiences for your students to:
name, represent and order numbers including zero to at least 20, using physical and virtual materials and numerals. (AC9MFN01)
recognise and name the number of objects within a collection up to 5 using subitising. (AC9MFN02)
quantify and compare collections to at least 20 using counting and explain or demonstrate reasoning. (AC9MFN03)
partition and combine collections up to 10 using part-part-whole relationships and subitising to recognise and name the parts. (AC9MFN04)
represent practical situations involving addition, subtraction and quantification with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies. (AC9MFN05)
represent practical situations that involve equal sharing and grouping with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies. (AC9MFN06)
So, in the foundation stage (kindergarten, prep or preschool), the number skills you will teach should include:
accurately count a collection of objects.
sequence numbers to 20.
recognise the number that is one more or one less than a given number.
recognising and using ordinal numbers and describing numerical positions using terms such as first, last, before, after or between.
recognising, writing, and reading numerals to 20.
connecting quantities to number names and numerals.
subitising collections.
recognizing quantities that are more and less, most and least
number conservation, and understanding that each object in a collection must be counted only once, that the arrangement of objects does not affect how many there are, and that the last number counted answers the question of “How many?”
exploring how different cultures may have alternative ways of representing numbers and counting.
recognising numbers represented in ten-frames.
partitioning collections of up to 10 objects in different ways and explaining the part-part-whole relationship.
exploring number groupings in First Nations Australians’ counting systems.
using role-play and materials to represent number relationships in stories.
role-playing or actively engaging in situations that involve simple money transactions.
representing number connections expressed in First Nations Australians’ stories.
role-playing or actively engaging in situations that involve practical situations involving addition, subtraction, equal sharing, and grouping.
Australian Curriculum Algebra Skills
The Australian Curriculum outlines 1 content description for the foundation stage algebra strand.
You will need to provide learning experiences for your students to:
recognise, copy and continue repeating patterns represented in different ways. (AC9MFA01)
So, in the foundation stage (kindergarten, prep or preschool), the algebra skills you will teach include:
recognising, copying, and describing different repeating patterns using materials, shapes, sounds, and movements.
recognising and describing repeating patterns that can be observed on Country/Place and in First Nation Australians artwork, cultural performances and material cultures.
Foundation Stage ACARA Number and Algebra
In the Australian curriculum, learning in mathematics for the Foundation Stage builds on the Early Years Learning Framework along with any prior learning and experiences each student begins school with.
In kindergarten, Prep, Foundation or Preschool (I have no idea why we have so many names for this grade level!!), students should engage in a range of approaches to learning and doing mathematics. They will develop their understanding of and fluency with
concepts
skills
procedures
and processes
by making connections, reasoning, problem-solving, and practice.
Proficiency in mathematics at this young age will mean your students need to take part in situations requiring them to think mathematically. Mathematical proficiency at this young age will also mean they will use math strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.
The ACARA curriculum suggests your students can develop their math proficiency and build positive attitudes towards maths when they have opportunities to:
explore situations, sparked by curiosity, using physical and virtual materials to represent, sort, quantify, compare, and solve everyday problems.
look for and make connections between number names, numerals, and quantities, and compare quantities and shapes, using elementary mathematical reasoning in active learning experiences.
bring mathematical meaning to their use of familiar terms and language when they pose and respond to questions, and explain their thinking and reasoning.
build confidence and autonomy in being able to make and justify mathematical decisions based on quantification and direct comparisons.
learn to recognise repetition in pattern sequences and apply this to creatively build repeating patterns in a range of contexts.
develop a sense of sameness, difference, and change when they engage in play-based activities.
From: The Australian Curriculum Mathematics Strand
Well, this has been taken directly from the Australian Curriculum – version 9, and it’s pretty obvious that hands-on math activities and play-based learning experiences are going to be the most effective way to teach kindergarten kids all their math learning intentions.
There are heaps of those learning intentions by the way. If you are interested in discovering what all of the 162 kindergarten math learning intentions are, check out my Illustrated Math Learning Intentions
I use these illustrated learning intentions to explicitly teach Prep, Kindergarten, and Preschool students what the Foundation Stage Math learning intentions are. The pictures act as a visual prompt and help my young students remember and better understand their WALT goals.
In preschool and kindergarten, the written learning intentions I was using were not very helpful for my young learners. The learning intentions I had displayed up on the wall were pretty useless because my little kids were still building their reading skills. When they looked at my written learning intention, all they saw were a bunch of letters! They just didn’t make much sense to them and they had trouble remembering them.
That's why I started using illustrated learning intentions in my early childhood settings. My illustrated learning intentions have pictures that helped my students better remember and understand their WALT learning goals.
Make math learning easier for your little ones too! These age-appropriate learning intentions are visually appealing and easy for them to understand. I know they will help your students stay focused and motivated.
How Do You Teach Numbers?
Variety. That’s the short answer!
Teaching foundation stage math number and algebra concepts will have you teaching the same concepts over and over. Your students will need repeated exposure to numerous and varied opportunities to learn these skills and concepts.
You will find your students naturally love learning about numbers through hands-on activities and real-world experiences. Play-based learning will provide your students with purposeful opportunities to learn and practice their number and algebra skills.
When children are given opportunities to explore number concepts through hands-on playful investigations and learning provocations, you will observe them building and refining their skills, understandings, and knowledge.
Use rich hands-on experiences to scaffold their learning by asking intentional questions about numbers. For example, at the blocks area you can ask, “How many more blocks do you need to make this a stronger tower?” In the dramatic play space, you might ask, “Are there enough plates for all the dolls?” Or at the reading area there will be opportunities to discuss the quantities and collections of different books.
Some of my favourite open ended math questions to use for teaching number concepts are:
How do you know this is a number?
Can you tell me more about that number?
What ways can you share these fairly?
What happens if you try that again? Is it the same?
How can we compare these?
How are these the same? How are they different?
These are just some of the questions from my Open-ended Math Question prompts. They help my children to verbalise their thinking and challenge them to think about math in different ways. They are great for not only learning about number and algebra, but can be used in all three of the math content strands.
They make it really easy to prepare and set up aesthetically pleasing and educational math investigation areas too. Just print them out and include one or two of these open-ended math question prompts with collections of loose parts or math number manipulatives to take your student's mathematical thinking to the next level.
The opportunities to embed number and algebra vocabulary and experiences are endless in a play-based learning environment. Providing your students with a variety of resources and some related prompts like those above will help your students to naturally incorporate more number concepts into their play.
Of course, the list of questions is endless and dependent on the skills and understandings of your students. Questions like these are important in play-based learning investigations because they help your children to verbalise their thinking and challenge them to think about number and algebra in different ways.
8 Tips for Teaching Number and Algebra Skills in Kindergarten
To have success in teaching numbers and algebra in the early years, remember to:
Provide authentic and real-life experiences through hands-on activities.
Timetable in time for your students to practice and consolidate their learning.
Intentionally use any new mathematical language frequently.
Teach multiple strategies and encourage your children to choose the strategy that makes the most sense to them.
Encourage mathematical thinking by teaching your students to use math vocabulary and to talk about and explain their thinking when they are working with quantities.
Provide manipulatives along with paper and pencils for problem-solving and working with numbers and patterns.
Allow time for children to compare and discuss their work and their thinking with their peers.
Ask open-ended questions when teaching about numbers and algebra.
9 Fun Hands-on Kindergarten Number Activities
Here are some practical and fun number and algebra activities your kindergarten and preschool children will not only find success with but also love.
These playful hands-on activities are easy to set up. All you need are some printed prompts and a few math resources commonly available in most kindergarten and preschool classrooms. Use these ideas to help you set up your own simple number and algebra activities.
1. Math Resource Shelf
Setting up a math resource shelf is one of the easiest number learning invitations you can offer in your early childhood classroom. Just collect as many math manipulatives as you can get your hands on and store them on a shelf.
Your children will be able to use these resources throughout your classroom. Numbers and algebra can be a part of any investigation area.
Here are some suggestions:
Loose parts
Manipulatives
Dice
Ruler and number lines
Ten frames
Sorting bowls
Number stamps
Numicon
MAB
Unifix
Bundling sticks
100 board
You can also add pencils, clipboards, blank number lines, and ten frames, graph paper, and sticky notes so your students can record their learning. You might also like to add some math number cards, number and counting posters, and perhaps a few related textbooks. Once your math resource shelf is set up, stand back and watch your students begin sorting, counting, and patterning!
2. Playdough Pattern Activity for Kindergarten
Patterning activities are so easy to set up. You just need a few containers of various loose parts and some play dough. You will be surprised how much time children will spend here sorting, counting and making patterns. They will be developing their conservation and fine motor skills too.
This prompt is from my 115 Math Provocations for Number and Algebra - Foundation Stage
3. A Favourite Play Dough Number Activity
My kids love these play dough number flowers. They have so much fun making gardens and flower arrangements with these easy-to-make flowers.
If you are looking for ways to link your learning intentions into your classroom provocations, these Number Flowers will be a handy resource. I use them often in both my play-based provocations and in my explicit teaching lessons. There are 42 number flowers in this set. Both numerals and words for the numbers 0 to 20 are included.
I specifically designed them to be used at the play dough table as a provocation to teach number concepts. When we study living things (plants) in science or when Spring comes around, they tie in nicely too. They sure have come in handy for some other quick and easy number activities too. Here are some of the ways we have used them in our classroom:
In sensory tubs (with sand, dirt, gravel or rice).
As a stimulus at the play dough table.
With flower pots in the Dramatic Play space.
As a display at the Science Nature table.
With counters and a number line at the Math table.
With some tins and cups at the Blocks area.
As a game, math warm-up or transition activity—give each child a flower, (numerals & words) and ask them to find their matching flower friend or ask them to put themselves in order (make a number line). You can sit in a circle and give clues to the secret flower eg: I’m the number before 7, and the correct flower child stands up.
4. Kindergarten Sorting Activity
My students loved this simple sorting activity. It was so easy to set up. I included pompoms of different sizes and colours in the large bowl so the students had 2 ways to sort them.
Of course, lots of counting and comparing collections happened here too.
This prompt is from my 115 Math Provocations for Number and Algebra - Foundation Stage
5. Exploring Sharing in Home Corner
Number learning invitations can be integrated into other curriculum areas quite easily. Here the children are prompted to practice the sharing strategies we learned in our explicit math teaching lessons.
Play-based learning will provide your students with so many opportunities to practice and consolidate their math skills. Experiences like these are also a great way for you to notice and remediate any math misconceptions your students may have. It’s the perfect opportunity for instant intervention.
6. Exploring Number Lines
It's important for young learners to be familiar with number lines, so I always like to use them in our hands-on math activities. If you don’t have any printed ones, a ruler makes a great number line for your students. Children will use number lines in so many different ways. The kids often give me ideas for new ways I can use them in my teaching.
This math activity was so quick and easy to set up. It was highly engaging. I observed children counting, and sequencing all week! It was nice to consolidate the language around ordinal numbers too, because that can be a tricky concept for some children.
The printed prompt in this math provocation is part of a FREE set of math prompts you can download from my FREE Resource library. If you would like to use it in your classroom, you can grab the whole set HERE.
7. Exploring Quantities
You can never have enough counting activities in the early years classroom. I’m always looking for ways to invite my students to practice counting.
This hands-on counting activity for kindergarten kids will help your students practice one-to-one correspondence in a fun and engaging way. And as an extra bonus - it incorporates ten frames!!
At this number learning invitation, children were prompted to explore the ten frames and compare quantities. Adding some tongs the next day helped to spark further interest and built those much-needed fine motor skills too.
By the way, those ten-frames are old glu-stick packaging materials rescued from the bin. You can always print out some ten frames for your students to use too.
This prompt is from my 115 Math Provocations for Number and Algebra - Foundation Stage
8. Counting Math Story
Learning about number stories is sometimes tricky for younger children. They seem to understand role-play situations when we act out the number story, but when it comes to the representation of number stories on paper or using concrete manipulatives to represent the story, it can be abstract to them.
That’s why I set up this little learning invitation.
Each day I added some little figurines to represent the characters from stories we read together. I would model how to make number stories using the character each morning during our reflection time.
This learning invitation certainly helped the children to transfer their learning over to the more abstract pictorial and numerical representations.
Again, this counting activity prompt is another one you can download and print for free. It’s another prompt from the set of 8 FREE printable math prompts in my FREE Resource library.
9. Learning to Represent Numbers in Different Ways
This one is the last of my 9 hands-on number and algebra ideas. Children love the challenge of representing numbers in different ways, so we have heaps of resources on our math shelf and around the classroom that children can use to represent numbers.
I often include a small camera in this investigation area so students can record their representations. We view the pictures together as a class at reflection time. That way, everybody gets to share in the wonderful learning that happens during our play sessions.
Sometimes we print their photographs out and display them in the area or compile them in an album for either the class library area or the math resource shelf.
These 9 number and algebra activities will engage your kindergarten students as they practice counting, sorting, and building a strong number sense. If you like these hands-on kindergarten math activities, you will love the full set of 115 Number and Algebra Math Provocations I have designed. There are so many more fun hands-on number and pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool children in this comprehensive pack.
There are plenty of educational hands-on number and algebra activities included in this pack. In fact, it covers ALL the Number and Algebra content descriptions for Kindergarten ACARA Foundation Stage – Version 9. These engaging hands-on math activities will make your play-based math learning centers or investigation areas so quick and easy to set up.
This beautiful pack contains:
32 Prompts to name, represent and order numbers including zero to at least 20, using physical and virtual materials and numerals (AC9MFN01)
3 Prompts to recognise and name the number of objects within a collection up to 5 using subitising (AC9MFN02)
15 Prompts to quantify and compare collections to at least 20 using counting and explaining or demonstrating reasoning (AC9MFN03)
8 Prompts to partition and combine collections up to 10 using part-part-whole relationships and subitising to recognise and name the parts (AC9MFN04)
10 Prompts to represent practical situations involving addition, subtraction and quantification with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies (AC9MFN05)
10 Prompts to represent practical situations that involve equal sharing and grouping with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies (AC9MFN06)
17 Prompts to recognise, copy and continue repeating patterns represented in different ways (AC9MFA01)
12 reproducible recording sheets to fit A5 clipboards
2 Bonus ten frame and part-part-whole templates
Instructions to tile print the prompts so you can change the printout size to suit your centers
Inspiring photos for ideas on how to set up your learning invitations
Lists of possible hands-on resources you can add to each center
It includes All the math provocation prompts you need to set up hands-on NUMBER AND ALGEBRA investigation areas in your Kindergarten classroom.
EASY TO PREP AND ORGANISE
A total of 115 different printable math provocation prompts. Already done for you and ready for you to use in your classroom. Inspirational photos are also included to help you set up engaging, age-appropriate learning invitations. They will make it so easy and quick to set up purposeful investigation areas.
So now you have some educational and engaging ways to teach number and algebra in your kindergarten or preschool learning space. Through hands-on, playful investigations, numbers and patterns can become some of the easiest math skills to teach.
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