Matching Numerals
Aims
This activity is designed to:
- Teach your child to match the numerals 1 to 5
- Teach your child to link the numerals 1 to 5 to the correct number words
And, later to:
- Teach your child to match the numerals 1 to 10
- Teach your child to link the numerals 1 to 10 to the correct number words
When to start
This activity is suitable for children who have begun to learn to say the number words for the numerals they are matching.
For example, if your child has begun to learn to say "one-two" in Activity 1, they can begin to learn to match the numerals 1 and 2. The number words will be repeated throughout the matching activity, offering your child extra opportunities to practise saying them.
Teaching in small steps
We recommend teaching the written numerals 1 to 5 in small steps. Start with 1-2. When your child can successfully match these, introduce the next numeral - for example, 1-2-3.
At first, match the numerals in counting order to reinforce the sequence. When your child can do this confidently, practise matching the numerals in random order.
Work through each activity in See and Learn First Counting with the numbers 1 to 5 first, then repeat each activity with the numbers 1 to 10 later (see guidance in Using See and Learn First Counting).
Modelling and prompting
At first, model the activity. Demonstrate each step, encouraging your child to watch.
When your child first starts the activity, prompt them as needed to help them complete the task successfully.
Steadily reduce your prompts as your child learns the activity.
Instructions
| 1 | Show your child the numeral cards | |
[Cards]: Select two numeral cards for each of the numerals you wish to work with. Position one of each of the numeral cards in front of the child, in order, from left to right, starting with 1. ::: |
[Apps]: From the Main Menu screen, select Activities > Learning Numerals > Matching Numerals. Select the sequence of numbers you wish to work with. ::: |
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| 2 | Attract your child's attention Say "let's match numbers". Encourage your child to look at the numeral cards. |
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| 3 | Present a numeral card to match | |
[Cards]: Hand your child the first of the cards to match. At first, present the numerals in order, starting with 1. When your child can match the numerals 1 to 5 in order, you can present the cards to match in any order. |
[Apps]: Tap the card to match to 'turn over'. (If prompts are enabled, the card is turned over automatically.) By default, the numerals are presented for matching in order. When your child can match the numerals 1 to 5 in order, you can change the settings to request the numerals in random order. |
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| 4 | Ask your child to match the numeral card ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Point to the numeral card that you are asking your child to match and say the number word - for example, say "one". Say "put [one] with [one]" At first, you may need to prompt your child while they learn the activity. Point to the numeral card that matches the card presented. Help your child to place the presented card over the matching card. [Apps]: Your child can drag the presented card over the matching card or simply tap the matching card to indicate their selection. ::: |
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| 5 | Present the next numeral card to match | |
[Cards]: Hand your child the next card to match. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
[Apps]: Tap the card to match to 'turn over'. (If prompts are enabled, the card is turned over automatically.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |
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| Point to the numeral to match and say the corresponding number word. | ||
| 6 | Repeat steps 4 and 5 Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you your child has matched each card. |
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:::Apps settings
The apps include the following settings that control how the activity is presented:
- Match numerals in any order - when enabled, the cards to match are presented in random order.
- Number of answer attempts - sets the number of incorrect answers that can be given before prompting the correct answer.
- Time to wait for answer - the time to wait for an answer. Initially, this is indefinite to allow you to demonstrate and explain the activity.
- Provide prompts - turns on recorded voice prompts. We recommend that you provide the spoken prompts at first, and consider turning this option on when your child has begun to learn the activity.
- Enable applause - enables/disables playing applause at the end of the activity.
Recording progress
You can record your child's progress using the Learning Numerals record.
Enter the dates your child first started to learn and first succeeded in matching each sequence of numerals (Figure 3).
Figure 3 | Example Learning Numerals record sheet
Progressing through the numerals
When to introduce the next numeral
When your child can correctly match the numerals in a sequence (for example, 1-2) three times you can introduce the next numeral and practise the extended sequence (for example, 1-2-3).
When to practise matching numerals in random order
When your child can successfully match the numerals 1-5 in order (or, later, 1-10), you can begin to ask them to match the numerals in any order.
Moving to the next activity
As your child learns to match numerals, they are ready to start Activity 2b - Selecting Numerals with the numerals they have learned to match.
For example, when your child has learned to match 1 and 2, they can start learning to select the numerals 1 and 2. Meanwhile, they can continue to learn to match 1, 2 and 3 (if they have also begun to learn to say the number word "three").
