Ordering Numbers - Kindergarten Activities to Teach Numeral Sequence

In Kindergarten, children practice ordering numbers forward and backward to become more comfortable with how numbers relate to one another. Below are some activities to help children practice ordering numbers, zero through six, using pictures and objects. Once a child is comfortable with these numbers, they can move on to larger numbers seven through ten.

Activities for Kindergarten

Before you get started, review the words more, less, before and after.

You will need:

* Dot cards (Index cards with 1 - 6 dots drawn on them in the pattern that they appear on dominoes)

* Number cards (1-5)

The one MORE activity:

1. Give the child the dot cards. Tell him, "I will show you a number and you hold up the card with that many dots."

2. Hold up the number card with the one on it. Say, "What is this number?"

3. When the child answered and shown the card with one dot, say "Yes. Now show me the dot card that has one MORE."

4. Repeat the procedure above with number cards 2, 3, 4 and 5, in order.

The one Less activity:

1. Show the child the card with the number 5 on it.

2. Ask her what the number is. When the child gets the number correct, ask him to hold up the dot card with that many dots.

3. After the child has selected the dot card with 5 dots, ask the child which card has 1 LESS dot (or 1 FEWER dot.)

4. Repeat the procedure above with number cards 4, 3, 2 and 1, in decreasing order.

To extend the activity, put stacks of 1 - 5 dots in order on a table. Practice moving left and right across the stacks of blocks asking for the stack with one more, or one less.

Number Line Activities for Kindergarten

Print a number line for free here: Printable Number Line

We use the Match and Learn math board from Lakeshore Learning because it is very visual and helps children see the numbers in stacks of blocks as the move up and down the line.

1. Have the child point to a number on the number line.

2. Ask the child to find the number that is one more.

3. When the child is comfortable with one more, ask the child to find a number that is one less.

4. Practice moving up and down the number line calling out numbers one more and one less.

The objective is that the child feels confident moving to the right for one more and left for one less along the number line.

Read the book "Ten in the Bed"

After you've moved forward and backward along a number line, this is a perfect time to introduce counting backwards. Show the child numbers 6 through 1 printed in that order. Read each number with them. Tell them that you are "counting backwards."

Make a game of counting backwards by counting back to 0. My boys love to shout "blast off" at 0. You can also practice counting backwards before shouting, "ready or not, here I come," in a game of hide-and-seek. This fun book also makes counting backwards and enjoyable learning experience for kids: "Ten in the Bed."

If you have other ideas, activities, or comments please leave a note below.