Flash cards can be an effective way to teach new information, improve a child’s visual memory, and even increase their overall engagement. But the best way to use flash cards are as complements to engaging activities. Your learner will make better connections to the material in this way.
Children learn best when the learning is fun, engaging, age appropriate, and based on their interests.
13 activities to extend math learning
There are many important skills that children need to learn to become mathematically literate for later stages in their education and life. So we always want to make sure they retain the information the best they can. Here are 13 activities that will extend math learning with flash cards.
The activities in this post are geared towards preschool and kindergarten learners, ages 2 1/2 to 6 years. But they can be adapted in difficulty to meet the needs and interests of older learners.
Here are the Specific Skills Referenced in this post:
- Representing Numbers:
- Representing numbers in different ways
- Recognizing numbers in print
- Writing numbers
- Reading numbers written in words
- Determining Quantity:
- Counting to determine quantity
- Reflecting and Reaching Conclusions
- Identifying patterns of events
- Describing connections between different objects
- Using Number Symbols and Operations
- Using counters to represent objects
- Completing Simple Number Operations
- Establishing one to one correspondence
- Adding and subtracting
- Comparing Quantities
- Counting to compare quantities
- Making more or less comparisons
- Identifying Patterns
- Creating patterns
- Identifying, creating, copying, or extending patterns
1| Tell a Math Story
Children and adults alike love hearing stories. Tell a math story to keep your learner laughing and learning!
Start your story with “1-ce upon a time”, and continue telling the story with different number cards. Let your learner pick a number to add to the story, and make sure they say the name of the number. This way you can also assess for number recognition.
Your story may sound something like this: “Once upon a time (laying down the number 1 card), (your learner) went for a swim in the ocean, and saw 6 (pull card) dolphins. They were so beautiful, but behind them were 10 (pull card) whales. Wow! Then (your learner), heard 2 (pull card) crashing waves!
Telling a math story can breed endless fun! Not only will you be able to assess for your learner’s number recognition skills, but you will see how their imagination can come to life! And children really do have the best imaginations!
Extend the learning even more by drawing a picture to represent the story, or making a book.
2| More or Less
Choose a number card. Instruct your learner to choose a card that is either more or less than the card you have chosen.
To assist your learner, remind them that they can count the objects on the card if they are unsure. This will allow you to assess for number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, counting forward, and their ability to compare quantities.
To extend the learning further, complete the activity with the number words as well!
3| Guess What Number!
Did you know that touch is vitally important for development and growth? We all need it. But hugs, kisses, and even a simple pat on the back communicates to children that they are safe, loved, and respected.
This activity involves touch and a hint of suspense! Have your learner pick a number card without looking. Then trace the number on your learner’s back or the back of their hand, and have them guess what number it is. Switch places, and have them trace a number on your hand or another learner’s hand. Don’t forget to keep your eyes closed!
4| 1, 2, 3… 3, 2, 1
Practicing counting forwards and backwards will increase your learner’s mathematical awareness. In addition, spelling out the number can also increase their recognition of numbers in print.
As you pull the cards, count forward, and then try pulling the cards and counting backwards.
To extend the learning try writing the numbers both ways too!
5| What’s My Age?
Can your learner find the card that represents their age? What about the card that shows how old they will be after their next birthday? And the birthday after that?
Can your learner identify the card that represents their friends, or family members’ ages?
To extend their learning and assess for number recognition, encourage your learner to find cards that represent the different ages of family members, friends, or even their favourite cartoon character!
6| Match Maker
Get two copies of number cards, and separate 5 pairs of numbers. Mix them up and spread them out on a table or the floor. Instruct your learner to match the pairs. Increase the difficult by using 10 pairs, or 15 pairs.
7| Sum it Up!
Is your learner ready for more complex learning or are they in grade school? This activity is not only challenging, but perfect for assessing their skills.
With two copies of number cards, instruct your learner to create a number sentence! For instance, with three cards your learner could create the sentence: 3+2=5.
It’s important to have two sets just in case the wish to use duplicate numbers.
Can you extend the learning even more by creating subtraction, multiplication, or division sentences?
8| Count On Yourself
Can you and your learner count the number of different parts of your body? To see if your learner can make the connection with the number cards, ask them to show you which number represents the amount of toes they have.
How many body parts can they represent with numbers? Extend the learning by asking them to represent all their body parts with the number word cards.
You can also use any subject to play this activity. For instance, try finding numbers that represent the number of legs different insects have! The only requirement is to make it fun!
9| Number Scavenger Hunt
When was the last time you went on a scavenger hunt?? Well today is the day to go on a number scavenger hunt!
Gather a few cards and head to any part of the house, classroom, or nearby environment. Now encourage your learner or learners to find the numerals within the environment.
Look for numbers on a calendar, a clock, a license plate, or signs. There are numbers all around us. Help your learner to build their number recognition skills by increasing their mathematical awareness within their environment.
10| Six Is Always Six!
For this activity you will also need manipulatives. Try counters, math-link cubes, bear counters, cars, or even small toys!
Once your learner chooses a card, give them that amount of manipulatives. Encourage your learner to arrange the manipulatives in as many ways as possible. As an example, create two rows of three items, then change it to a square or circle.
Make sure to count the manipulatives each time you change the arrangement. The point is to illustrate to your learner that a number is always a number!
11| Pattern Fun!
Recognizing and identifying patterns is an important math skill, and it helps to build other skills. With this activity you will need more than one set of number cards.
Instruct your learner to create simple patterns with the number cards. For example: 1, 3, 5, 1, 3, _?
To extend the learning even further, lay out a more difficult pattern and encourage them to compete it. Then switch places! Can your learner create a pattern for you to finish?
12| MiX It Up!
Starting small, separate the numbers 1 to 10 into two groups. This way you will have one group 1 – 5, and another 6 – 10.
With one group, mix up the numbers and instruct your learner to place them back into numerical order.
With the other group of cards, lay out the numbers in numerical order. Leave a few missing and instruct your learner to fill in the blanks.
Increase the difficulty by using 20 number cards, separated into two groups: 1 – 10, and 11 -20.
13| Action Numbers!
Instruct your learner to choose a number card. Now tell them to pick an action to do that number of times! This activity is perfect as a ‘brain break’ task.
For example, if your learner picks 5, then they may choose to do 5 jumping jacks. To do this in the classroom, have one child choose a number card, and the entire class complete the action.
Don’t forget to join in!
When extending the learning of any activity, always encourage your learner to tap into their imagination. Emotional connections lead to long term retention of information. So always make sure your learner is laughing and learning!
Counters and math-link cubes are our favourite math manipulatives, and I encourage you to use alongside your number cards!
Are you looking for the perfect number cards to extend math learning with your learner?
These free Animal Themed Number Flash Cards include 3 sets of number cards: numeral – animal, numeral – number word, and number word – animal. Print the cards individually or double sided for extended fun!
Guess what?! You can access the ever growing selection of number cards, printable activities, activity bundles, and resources in the VIP Learning Library!
Subscribe to the membership today and gain unlimited access!
Shelly-
I LOVE this article. Is there anyway to print it without all of the ads?
Hi Julianne,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Of course! I would love for you to have quick access to the information provided. Just email me at shelly@laughingandlearning.com and I’ll send you a copy 🙂
We’ll talk soon!