Teaching a Child to Count and Read Numbers

Parents are a baby’s first teachers. Everything they learn from the day they were born, mostly come from their parents. Among the many skills that parents impart on their kids are counting and reading numbers.

Counting and reading numbers is one of the most basic yet vital skills that all humans should have. Experts believe that parents should start introducing the concept of numbers as early as 12 months. However, parents should really start teaching their kids how to count and read numbers at 2 years old.

But teaching 2 year old children can be a very difficult task. As you may know, at this age, children are very curious. So, more often than not, you struggle just to get your child’s attention.

 

Learning How to Count

When introducing the concept of numbers, the best way is to do it with songs and rhymes. Recite nursery rhymes and sing songs such as Ten Little Indians, There Were Ten in the Bed, This Old Man, Five Little Ducks and The Ants Go Marching One by One.

As you may already know, singing songs and rhymes are very popular among toddlers. Counting numbers by singing will not only get your child’s attention and have lots of fun and bond with you, but it will also help him remember the numbers quickly.

You can also have your child practice counting numbers whenever he’s playing. Encourage your child count the number of toys he or she is playing with.

Learning How to Recognize Numbers

Whenever you see your child fixated on a thing, like for example, he’s looking at a book; look for a number, point to it and name or recite that number. For this method, you can use many tools like telephones, mobile phones, remote controls, etc. You may also buy a number toy for kids. There are toys that recite numbers, which are very appealing to kids.

Another great tool you can use to teach your child how to read or recognize numbers is a set of index cards. You can simply write numbers on these index cards and draw objects on it to make it more appealing.

If you don’t have a lot of time, you can just purchase number flash cards in an educational store. What you do with these cards is simply show them to your child one by one. Each time you show a flash card, recite the number that is written in it.

Do these exercises regularly and before you know it, your child will soon learn to count and recognize numbers. Just have patience and do your best to enjoy your bonding moment with your little one.

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