Building Number Sense in the Early Years (Ages 3-6)
What Is Number Sense?
Number sense is an intuitive understanding of numbers and their relationships. It includes:
- Knowing that numbers have meaning and quantity
- Understanding "more," "less," and "same"
- Recognizing small quantities without counting (subitizing)
- Understanding that numbers can be broken apart and combined
Why It Matters
Strong number sense predicts later math success better than counting ability alone. Kids with good number sense:
- Learn math facts more easily
- Understand operations conceptually
- Can estimate and check their work
- Have less math anxiety
Activities for Ages 3-4
Counting Everything Count stairs, toys, crackers — anything! Make it natural and fun.
Comparing Sets "Who has more grapes — you or your sister?"
Subitizing with Dice Roll a die. Can they say the number without counting each dot?
Number Books Read counting books and discuss the pictures.
Activities for Ages 4-5
One-to-One Correspondence Give each stuffed animal one cookie. Give each person one plate.
Making Sets "Can you get me 4 blocks?"
Part-Part-Whole "You have 5 strawberries. If you give me 2, how many will you have left?"
Estimation Jars Fill a jar with items. "How many do you think? Let's count and see!"
Activities for Ages 5-6
Number Bonds Explore all the ways to make 5: 1+4, 2+3, 0+5...
Number Lines Jump on a number line drawn in chalk. Forward for adding, backward for subtracting.
Ten Frames Use egg cartons (cut to 10 spaces) to explore numbers to 10.
Comparison Write two numbers. Circle the bigger one. How do you know?
Language to Use
Use math words naturally:
- More, less, same, equal
- First, second, third, last
- Before, after, between
- Add, take away, altogether
Avoid These Mistakes
Rushing to worksheets: Hands-on exploration comes first.
Focusing only on counting: Counting is one skill, not the whole picture.
Correcting too quickly: Let them think and discover.
Making it a chore: Keep it playful and short.
Play-Based Learning
At this age, play IS learning. Trust the process. A child stacking blocks is learning about quantity, balance, and spatial relationships — all foundational math concepts.