My 4 year old doesn't know numbers

13 answers /

Last post: 08/03/2023 at 1:37 pm

Sharon S(442)

07/12/2011 at 8:22 pm

Tonight we were opening advent calenders and I was shocked to see that my DD couldn't recognise her numbers, I have now realised that her twin brother has been shouting out numbers before she can and so she has just copied him. What is the best way for me to help her learn them, I'm a bit worried about her staring school next year now in case she isn't ready

Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 8:31 pm

I taught my boys their numbers by pointing out numbers on houses. We also did counting games and flash cards. Does she go to preschool? It might be worth mentioning your concern to the staff there.

James D(38)

07/12/2011 at 8:37 pm

Hi,

Just try getting the basic numbers into story time at night and counting anything while out and about. Trust me its nothing to be worries about really. Long as your aware of it now you can do something about it. My son is 3 in March next year and from 1 I got him mats to play on with numbers 1 to 10 on them and he has posters with 1 to 20 on and it works well. He can count to 10 but can't recognise them yet.

If I can help just email or I am sure others will give good advice too

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Jayne M(173)

07/12/2011 at 8:46 pm

Even if she still doesn't know her numbers by next September, she's not likely to be the only one in a class of 30, so don't be too worried.

If you can, use lots of opportunities to make the numbers - in playdough, when making cookies, drawing in sand, painting (with brushes & finger paints), cut out from sandpaper (for the texture) - anything you can think of. Some magnetic numbers on the fridge would give her the opportunity to play with them & become familiar that way as would a wooden inset number puzzle for her to slot the numbers in. Do you watch cBeebies? If she likes the Number Jacks, that could be another good way.

Can she say the number names in order? If she's not confident with that then you could attach to an activity she does a lot, like counting the stairs as you go up & down. Young children do find the 'teens' really difficult, because of their peculiar names, so don't worry too much if you move on to those (eventually) & she struggles a bit. We really should call them tenty-one, tenty-two, etc. but we have eleven, twelve... & children have to try to learn them so soon after learning the first lot of numbers - it really is quite tough!

HTH

Sharon S(442)

07/12/2011 at 9:15 pm

Thank you so much, I felt like such a bad mum when I saw her struggle tonight. I think she was tired too which didn't help but it looks like I might need to separate the twins a bit more to get DD on her own. My boys just seemed to pick things like numbers up and now I think back, DS2 was always the one counting the loudest and DD would just copy. Bless her, I'm sure she will be fine but will use all your ideas, thanks!

Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 9:31 pm

We have an ipad and iphone and there are lots of good games on there to help. My little boy is 2.5 (older sister almost 5) and he absolutely surprised me today with a number game and he recognised 1 - 10 although I have not consciously rammed it down his throat, he recognised the numbers. I always get them to count when they are going down the stairs and also I find some of the children's progammes (like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Dora) are quite helpful too (although my husband thinks tv and ipads are the making of hyperactive children!) and also cbeebies website.

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Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 9:35 pm

my son didn't know his numbers when he started pre-school, couldn't write his name or anything, now in year 1 he is doing really well.
Don't panic.

Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 9:45 pm

Hi,

I'm a nursery nurse and also now a mum.

It's not uncommon for young children to be unable to recognise the actual symbol eg 1,2,3. They may be able to recognise numbers that are important to them eg their age or house number.

Counting out loud is not a sign of a child understanding numbers. It's a bit like singing a song... They just say it to a rhythm they know. It's still a good start though, because you can use this to see her understanding of numbers. So ask her o o things like three jumps, four claps, give you two bricks etc. work on developing understanding to 5 at first. When you are sure she understands the concept of a number, show the symbol. So ask her to roll three worms from dough, then show or draw the number three...

An advent Calendar had lots of numbers... Perhaps too many for her to cope with. You could write the number and ask her to find one that matches. If this is too difficult just ask her to choose between two... So point to the right number (eg the one you want to open) and another. Then say number twelve is a number one and two together....

Praise and reward any efforts, even if she gets it wrong...good try, but it's not that one, let's look at this door....

If I can help anymore, I'd like to. Feel free to inbox! X

Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 9:52 pm

Hmmmm sounds familiar

When we adopted our two 4.5 & 3.5 they didn't know any numbers beyond 3, no colours, no alphabet and couldn't read or write. This was a little worrying because their Foster carer had written great letters about how she was teaching them stuff and clearly had just taken the money and not done a thing with them.

As he was starting school 4 months later and I got full maternity leave (!) I gave him a crash course, there was a great resistance to learning and a lot of frustration but he managed to get the basics in time for school. They are both at or above their reading age in school now.

I'm a firm believer that parents should teach their kids and not just put the responsibility down to the education system (wanting better for their kids than they had). I could read and write before starting school at 4 in 1969. I did however in my first week at school get smacked by a teacher for not being able to do up my shoe laces (but those were the days of the cane and the slipper):shock:!

Am not advocating trying to turn them into little Uber achievers and will be happy if they just turn out happy and honest.

Oh, back to the question, my son (like most children) was intrigued by money, so he counted out coppers for his 1 & 2 times tables and larger coins for the others...pretty kewl really

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Anonymous

07/12/2011 at 9:53 pm

Don't worry my daughter was struggling with numbers and she started school in sept and has picked it up very quickly, they pick things up suddenly and love to show off.

Can't find your answer?

Nicola C(388)

07/12/2011 at 9:58 pm

I taught my daughter when washing her hair I would rinse it 10 times and count them
You canalso get foam numbers for the bath or magnetic ones for the fridge which you can make into a game xx

Pervinder S

19/10/2022 at 10:25 pm

My 4yr old started reception this year, his teacher approached me y'day mentioning similar concerns, including not speaking to her. I had a light talk with him, and today he spoke to her!

He fails to reconise numbers infront of me but does with his older brother in my absence

Personally I think it maybe a confidence issue and as any parent I will try different methods to see what works for him.

Best

Pav

Catherine T(422)

08/03/2023 at 1:37 pm

My child had the same problem. I began to actively teach him using number games for example https://wunderkiddy.com/material/numbers There you can find educational games for children that will help to remember the numbers. It is easier to teach a child during the game. This is my recommendation.