Get ready to dive into the world of numbers with this counting to 5 activity, a practical approach to early math education. Keep on reading for step by step instructions on how you can make this too, plus in depth information about teaching kids one to one correspondence!

Where to Start: Counting to 5

Toddlers and young children often begin their numerical journey by focusing on the numbers 1 through 5. These foundational digits serve as the building blocks of early math education, providing a solid starting point for understanding numerical concepts. By mastering numbers 1 to 5, children not only gain the ability to count everyday objects but also develop the essential skill of number recognition. This early exposure to numbers sets the stage for more complex mathematical concepts down the road, making it a critical milestone in a child’s cognitive development. Our counting to 5 activity offers a hands-on and engaging way to help children embrace and enjoy this important early learning phase. 

Watch This Activity in Action!

In this counting to 5 activity, children actively participate in the learning process. Armed with a cardboard hand featuring numbered fingers from 1 to 5, they eagerly take on the challenge of matching the right number of hairbands to each finger.

This hands-on experience not only enhances their understanding of numbers but also nurtures their fine motor skills. As they carefully stretch and place each hairband onto the cardboard fingers, children refine their dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This multi-sensory engagement promotes cognitive development alongside physical skills, ensuring that learning is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. It’s a playful way for young learners to simultaneously build their numeracy foundation and fine-tune their motor abilities.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Encourage children to touch and manipulate the objects as they count, reinforcing the connection between the physical world and numerical representation. Additionally, provide ample opportunities for practice, allowing children to count a variety of objects in different contexts. Gradually increase the complexity of the counting tasks as their skills develop, ensuring a gradual progression in their understanding. Finally, be patient and supportive, offering positive reinforcement and praise as children master this essential math skill, fostering their confidence and enthusiasm for further numerical exploration.

This is such a fun way counting activity for toddlers because it has so many exciting elements to it! Using soil in the tub is not only a fun conversation starter, but a great way to integrate sensory play with number learning!

Using the magnetic tool also made this activity extra exciting. The metal inside the pipe cleaners attracted to the magnet and literally pulled them right off the dirt! This made the kids giggle and laugh and want to do even more.

Hands on Number Learning for Toddlers

Hands-on play is a cornerstone of effective early childhood education, and the magnetic worm fishing activity exemplifies this perfectly.

Through the tactile experience of using a magnetic wand to catch pipe cleaner worms, preschoolers are not just learning numbers, but also actively engaging their senses and developing fine motor skills. This type of kinesthetic learning creates a stronger connection between the child and the concept being taught. As they place the worms beside numeric symbols, they’re not just memorizing abstract figures, but associating a tangible object with the concept of quantity.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch This Activity in Action!

Watch This Activity in Action!

Hands-on play brings an inherent sense of curiosity and exploration, turning the learning process into a joyful adventure. It taps into a child’s natural inclination to investigate, manipulate, and create, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them.

In the context of the magnetic worm fishing activity, the children become the protagonists of their learning journey, encouraging them to be active participants rather than passive recipients of information. This approach nurtures a sense of ownership and boosts their self-confidence, making them more eager to explore other educational activities.

In essence, hands-on play brings the curriculum to life, transforming abstract concepts into concrete experiences. The magnetic worm fishing activity is a shining example of how something as simple as catching worms with magnets can spark a love for learning, nurture crucial skills, and create lasting memories of fun and discovery.

Overall, this game nurtures not only mathematical proficiency but also critical thinking, fine motor skills, and cooperative learning in an enjoyable package.

Kids can learn simple subtraction with these worksheets. They are silly, fun, and a hands-on way to learn this important math skill!

A Hands On Way to Learn Simple Subtraction!

There is something about cutting hair that keep kiddos engaged! Not only is it fun to give the worksheet people a hair cut, but it is such a visual way to understand subtraction!

If your kiddo is also learning simple addition, be sure to check out our “Add the Hair” activity – it’s another hands on way to learn a math skill, but this time using loose parts for giving the people hair and adding it up!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Set Up This Fun Simple Subtraction Activity

Utilizing this printable makes setting up this activity so easy!

All you need to do is print it and provide scissors for your kiddo to use to cut away the “hair.”

This activity doesn’t just help in learning a math skill, but it also strengthens fine motor skills! Using scissors and cutting is one of the best ways to strengthen muscles in the hands and fingers!

Get the Printable Here!

I wanted to make things extra easy for busy grown ups by providing this printable activity!

First, get some scissor skills practice by cutting along the lines to create strands of hair. Then, follow the equation by subtracting the number of hairs while physically cutting them away! Kids can count the remaining hairs to solve the problem and then write the answer in the space provided.

And if you like this, don’t miss some of our other printables that focus on early math skills like our Number Parking Lot printable and Count the Pizza Topping printable! 

For more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

This printable is all about giving animals their dots back! It’s a great way to reinforce recognizing numbers, learn counting numbers 1 to 10, and strengthening fine motor skills! 

Counting Numbers 1 to 10 and Fine Motor Skills Collide with This Dot Marker Activity!

This activity is such a fun way to engage with numbers while strengthening fine motor skills. 

Dot Markers are such a great arts and crafts tool because they are perfect for little hands that are just learning how to hold a writing instrument. Plus, they are tapping into their hand-eye coordination while they match up the marker with the dot outline!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch How to Set Up This Activity for Counting Numbers 1 to 10

In this video, you’ll see how I used our printable on a vertical surface! This allowed my daughter to stay engaged and on her feet exercising more motor skills beyond just fine motor! 

She enjoyed selecting which color dot marker she would use and then happily gave the animals their dots back!