Count, then write the number
Each of the eight boxes on this page shows a group of festive pictures, and your child writes how many there are. It connects two skills that develop separately at this age: knowing how many things are in a group, and knowing the numeral that goes with it.
Start with real things
December makes this easy. Count ornaments on the tree, candles on the table or cards on the shelf. Have your child touch each one and say the number, and then ask, "So how many altogether?" If they can answer without counting again, they have understood that the last number tells you the total. That is a big idea for a young child.
If it's too hard or too easy
- Still learning to write numbers? Write them lightly in the box to trace over, or let your child point to the right number on a chart.
- Finding it hard to keep track? Cross off each picture as it gets counted.
- Ready for more? Set "Numbers up to" at 20, or fold over the pictures and read out a number for your child to draw instead.
A little every day
A page like this takes about five minutes, which is about right. Try one a day in the run-up to Christmas, pressing "New sheet" each time so the numbers change.