One way to help enhance your child s cognitive development is by making them learn the numbers. While your child will easily memorise the numbers from 1-10, it is like any other rhyme that she has learnt. The numbers will not have any quantitative value for her. And teaching that is a little tricky. Making a toddler understand the concept of counting and quantifying objects is not as easy as helping them learn and recognise the alphabets. But you definitely have to help them learn the numbers and also how to count, and here are some activities that can make the task easier.
Counting the steps: The easiest way to make your toddlers understand that numbers are used for counting objects is to count the steps, especially when going up and down a flight of stairs. You start by counting it yourself and tell your toddler that you have climbed x number of steps. Encourage your child to start counting the steps individually.
Counting the fingers and toes: Sing the rhyme ten little fingers, ten little toes and count her fingers and toes. Then go on deducting one finger at a time for her to understand how to count and associate numbers with quantifying objects.
Get her books on numbers: There are many books that teach numbers and counting in a fun way. My favourite one is a Disney counting book in which you can count multiple objects to learn a certain number. Then the same objects are repeated in the same page to get to the next number. It is very interactive and that was the first time my daughter actually counted anything.
Use building blocks: Every child loves building blocks, so why not use it to teach numbers. Separate the different sized blocks and tell the child that each block denotes a number, which is the same as the raised grooves on it. The child can place the same grooves in top of each other. For example, a block with 2 grooves goes on top of other similar blocks. This will help your child understand counting and matching.
Breakfast numbers: Count the bites your toddler eats, or if she is eating something chunky, she can even count the pieces of cereal or whatever she is eating. Make it a fun game to get her interested.
Call me: Using a fake phone, you can get your child to press random numbers, or even use this activity to get her to learn your phone number, something every toddler should learn for their safety.
Hopscotch: It is a game that every child loves. And it is also a game that can teach numbers to your child. Using the stone, ask your child to throw it on a particular number and jump on that block. Your child can also count the number of blocks ot make and even help you write in the numbers in the corresponding blocks.
Do you have any tips to help toddlers learn the numbers faster? Please share.
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