Numbers 1-10

Description

This activity helps reinforce Number Recognition and Counting with a Hands On approach. Using beads and pipe cleaners, children also build fine motor skills as they string beads on the pipe cleaner. This activity is ideal for a center or small group activity. Children should be monitored if they are young due to the size of pony beads. Perfect activity for Homeschool, Preschool and Kindergarten. If your child is having difficulty with identifying numbers, parents can use this as an activity to reinforce what their child learns at school.

number-beads

Materials

  • Cardstock or Construction paper

  • Print 1-25 Sheet. Laminate numbers before cutting for longevity.

  • Scissors or Paper Cutter (adult only)

  • Pipe Cleaners (chenille stems

  • Pony Beads

  • Packing Tape or Craft Glue (recommended)

  • Container for beads and tray to work on

Steps

  • Print Teaching Tiny Tots's #1-25 Sheet.
  • Cut Pipe cleaners in half for #1-10. A full sized pipe cleaner can string about 25 regular pony beads.
  • Glue or tape your piece of cut cardstock or construction paper to the top of the pipe cleaner. Stapling does not work well. See our tip for longer lasting pieces.
  • Have beads available to string.
  • Have trays to work on so the beads don't roll
  • String the beads onto the pipe cleaner.

Tips and Suggestions

  • Laminate cardstock or construction paper prior to cutting for a longer lasting center game. You can use contact paper if you are doing this at home.
  • Stapling does not hold the cardstock well on the pipe cleaner. We used packing tape but I believe craft glue would also work well if allowed to dry completely.

Other Ideas

  • For younger toddlers, you can direct them to use only red beads or blue to help reinforce color recognition.
  • For older children you can tell them to make patterns with the beads as they string them on the chenille stem.
  • To help develop sequencing skills, arrange all of the strung beads in numerical order.
  • To help develop number recognition, call out a # and have the child hold up the correct pipe cleaner.
  • You can introduce the concept of even and odd for older children.
  • If this is a center activity, to change it up a bit, change the type of pony bead shape or color to match holidays.

Educational Note

Counting activities are very important because it helps to develop the following three aspects.
  • Counting in a sequence out loud: 1,2,3, etc.
  • Understanding how much is 3 and by being able to show or give three items.
  • Recognizing and Identifying.