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This is the start of an exciting new adventure for me! My husband and I have decided to homeschool our four-year-old. I am excited because this girl is epically smart! She is so hungry to learn all the time, so I have recently started teaching her letter sounds, letter recognition, and how to count. I think that hunger makes for the best students!
As soon as I put this together I showed her how to use it. She already knew how to count to 20 from memory. However, she would skip a couple of numbers. Also, she was not able to recognize all of the numbers by sight.
How to use a number chart
I sat her down and explained that I wanted her to point to each number as she counted out loud. She quickly understood that this was a take your time kind of deal. No rushing through it. I also made it clear that her finger should not be directly on the number she was counting. I explained to her that she had to look at the number while she recited it so that it would help get it in her mind. And she would always remember. This way she learns to visually recognize each number.
This is the exact method most public schools use. The two oldest of my three stooges learned their numbers this way when they went to kindergarten at a public school. The teacher had a huge chart hung on the wall and used a pointer to point to the numbers as the kiddos recited them.
You can teach your kid how to count!
It works best if you make a game out of it! We worked on it together a few times and then she started taking it upon herself to practice. She thinks of it as a game. A game that she wins EVERY TIME! We all know how much toddlers love to win!
Also, it is important to let them recite the numbers themselves as soon as they start to remember. That way you can be sure your little is actually learning and not just parroting you.
Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies:
- Paper- I used regular old construction paper in my #3 stooges favorite colors.
- Pencil
- Sharpies/markers
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Glue or tape
- Cute kid
- Clear contact paper
So first about the clear contact paper, I found this roll at Walmart for less than $5, it’s an 18ft x 20ft roll. HUGE! Also available on Amazon!
Almost 13 years ago my mother in law had my oldest girl make a magnet for me in the shape of the sun. She was 3 years old. My how time flys! Anyway, my mother in law covered it with clear contact paper and it has lasted this long on my fridge!
The front side has faded but still cute as a button!!
let’s get started!
First, create a grid of 100 evenly sized squares. So obviously the easiest way to do this is to start with a 10 x 10 sheet of paper. However, if you don’t have a 10 x 10 sheet you can definitely compromise. The construction paper I had to work with was 9 x 12. I wanted all the 10’s in one row so that I can easily teach her to count by tens. Therefore, one side had to be at least 10 inches so I could fit the numbers nicely.
Across the top is ten inches and the side is nine inches. I made each square 7/8th inch instead of a full inch which helped me have semi-even sized squares. You can do whatever works for you.
Draw all of your grid lines and cut off any excess paper. I used pencil first and then went over the pencil marks with sharpie. Write all numbers 1-100 in groups of 10. Tracing each set of 10 with a new color gives them a little extra help with recognition, especially for visual learners.
Another reason I love this tool is it caters to visual AND audible learners, as well as hands on! Everyone is capable of learning in different ways but many people learn better in one of the three areas.
Also, make the horizontal 10’s column a separate color from all the rest.
Put it together
Now you’ll put it together. I decided to make two sides to this chart. One with numbers and the other the full alphabet since we have also been working on letter sounds. Also, the second side adds a bit of weight to the chart.
If you decide on two sides you’ll want to secure them either with tape or glue. That way the two sides won’t separate later and it will be easier to cover with the contact paper.
Faux laminate
Next, you’ll apply the contact paper. This is probably my least favorite part only because boy is that stuff CURLY!
Cut the contact paper close to size with not too much extra. It just makes things a bit easier later when you trim it all up. The dotted lines on the contact paper make it super easy to get a nice clean straight line! Which my semi-perfectionist side finds extremely satisfying. I digress!
Curly, curly, curly!
Peel back about an inch of the paper backing and fold it back. Doing so makes it one hundred times easier to work with!
Place the sticky side down on to the chart. Give it a good rub to make sure it sticks well.
Now your going to pull back the paper backing. Put your hand on the chart and hold firmly while pulling back the paper. Smooth it out with your hand and press to make sure it’s stuck!
Use the exact same process for the back side of the chart. Once both side are covered with the clear contact paper, give it a nice trim. Don’t cut too close to the paper edge. Otherwise the contact paper may start to split from the paper.
Use it!
Finally, get to using this awesome tool! Kids love to learn! When your little has learned to use the chart and can do it independently, it becomes a great boredom buster!
I’d love to hear about your favorite little learning tools!
Have a wonderful day!
🙂 Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann Schooley is the owner and founder of Making My Abode, a blog dedicated to helping homemakers live well and simply on one income. She is a believer, wife, and mother of three with more than sixteen years of homemaking experience. Leigh Ann is the recipient of the Wife of The Year award eighteen years running. She has also won the Mother of The Year award every year for the past sixteen years. She is a Colorado native raised by her dad who taught her almost everything she knows. Leigh Ann lives with her husband and family in Colorado.
