Reading Bar Graphs

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Pictographs

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Pictographs (2)

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Bar Graph

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Blank Bar Graph Template

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Pictographs

Pictographs are a basic form of bar graph that are especially simple for young children to create and understand. With their colorful pictures and simple directions, pictographs will help children learn the basics of graphing. These pictograph worksheets will encourage your child to make his own pictograph by cutting apart the pictures at the bottom of the page and then pasting each picture into the correct column on the graph.

A pictograph (sometimes called a pictogram) is a special type of graph that uses pictures or symbols to represent information. Because pictographs do not require any words or numbers, they are perfect for young children who cannot yet read or who are not yet comfortable identifying printed numbers and matching them to the amounts they represent.

Pictographs are an important part of a preschool or kindergarten math program because they are an easy way for children to learn about bar graphs and the important role bar graphs play in organizing and tracking the amounts of different items.

More about the importance of bar graph worksheets

Bar graphs are an easy way for children to quickly compare different groups of items. By putting the different items along the horizontal axis of the bar graph and the number of items along the vertical axis of the bar graph, children can estimate how many of each item is depicted by observing how tall the column is. Also, children can count the exact number of items either by counting each individual block in the column or by observing the number on the left of the graph that corresponds to the height of each column.

Tips for parents

Encourage comparisons. When putting away your child’s laundry, encourage him to make observations about his clothing. For example, ask him to compare how many blue shirts and red shirts he has using the words “more” or “less.” Also encourage your child to use the descriptive words “more than” and “less than.” For example, at snack time ask him if he would like more cherries than crackers or more crackers than cherries. Being comfortable using these comparative terms will help him explain what he sees as he looks at pictographs.

Make pictographs instead of normal lists. Transform your shopping list into a pictograph by, for example, drawing 6 small pictures of a banana instead of writing “6 bananas.” Then let your child hold the pictograph at the store and remind you how many of each item to buy. If you are worried about your artistic skills, you can cut pictures of different foods out a magazine or off the internet to create your shopping list pictograph.

Activities to try at home to supplement the graphing worksheets

• Using all the shoes in your closet, challenge your child to create a three dimensional bar graph on your closet floor by putting all sneakers in one column, all sandals in a second column, and all dress shoes in a third column. Then challenge him to say which group of shoes has the most. Or, have him make a bar graph on your dining table by lining up different types of glasses and mugs.
• As you are putting away your child’s clothes, ask him to count how many shirts he has in the closet or how many pairs of pants he has. Ask him which item of clothing he has the most of, which item of clothing he has the least of, and which items he has the same amount of. Then consider going into your closet and having him compare the number of shirts he has with the number of shirts you have, for example. Later, your child can record this information with a bar graph.
• Say aloud two numbers (such as 6 and 12) and have your child say which number is bigger. Then suggest two different numbers and have your child say which number is smaller. Or, point out speed limit signs as your drive with your child. Explain how a 20 MPH limit means you need to go slower than a 65 MPH limit, for example, since 20 is less that 65. The more you child is able to readily identify which number is larger and which number is smaller, the easier it will be more him to make comparisons about different items recorded on a bar graph worksheet.
• Put different amounts of the same snack in two different cups and ask your child which cup he wants. First, ask him to make a guess about which container holds more items, based on the height the snack reaches in the cup. Then ask him to count the pieces in each cup to determine which has more, recording the information on a bar graph.

Sorting Numbers

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Sorting Numbers (2)

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More about the importance of sorting activities in kindergarten

Sorting activities help children develop logical reasoning skills because they require children to analyze a group of items and observe obvious characteristics. Each time your child completes a sorting activity, he will gain valuable experience making observations and sorting accordingly. This ability to sort and classify is important because your child can apply this skill set to many different areas. For example, when he enters a crowded playground, he will be able to discern that the younger children are playing by the swings, for example, while the older children are playing on the monkey bars, and then he can comfortably join the appropriate group.

There’s rarely one right answer in sorting and classifying activities

When children engage in sorting activities or classifying activities, there is rarely one correct answer. When sorting a large bowl of buttons, for example, I have seen children put the one blue button in the bowl into its own group and then lump all the remaining buttons in a different pile. In these cases, the sorting method was “blue buttons in this pile, different colored buttons in that pile.” Although it results in two sorted piles that contain very different numbers of items, that sorting system is entirely permissible. A moment later, a different child may take out the same large bowl of buttons and categorize them according to material, sorting all the metal buttons into one pile and all the plastic buttons in a different file. As with the first classification system, this classification method is also entirely correct.

Activities to complement sorting and classifying worksheets

Sorting and classifying worksheets are an engaging way to help your child learn how to explain his sorting method, since they require him to add a classification or title to each group of sorted items.

• In order for children to properly complete classifying worksheets, it is important for them to be able to understand the different terms they can use to label each group. When your child builds with blocks, write labels such as door, floor, and garage on post-it notes and encourage him to label his building. Or, when reading a picture book to your child, ask him point to specific items on the page such as “the hat,” “the swing” or “the teddy bear.” When you finish reading, challenge your child to classify other items in his room such as books, toy trains, and stuffed animals.
• Basic physical characteristics like eye color, hair color, height and gender are simple ways for children to classify people. To help your child get comfortable with these classification systems, stand in front of a mirror with your child and take turns saying things that are the same or different in your appearances. Do you have the same color eyes? Who is taller?
• Colors are also a great classification tool, since nearly every item has at least one observable color. To help your child practice classifying items by color, challenge him to stand in the middle of his room and name as many items as he can that have a certain color. Or, after getting dressed, encourage your child to touch all the clothing on his body that have a certain color in them and explain his classification system by saying why he is touching the clothing items that he is.
• When getting dressed in the morning, explain to your child what classification criteria you look for when selecting clothes for him to wear. Items with the same color? The same shape? The same size? Then turn him lose in his closet to find clothes that match your classification system. Or, let your child select his own clothes and then explain to you why he picked each item. Encourage him to articulate the identifying characteristics of each item that caught his attention.
• Let your child sort your pocket change each night into small, clear jars. You child could complete this sorting activity by sorting the coins by denomination, color (pennies in one jar, all other coins in a different jar) or by size (small pennies and dimes in one jar and large nickels and quarters in a different jar).
• Make a personalized “Match Game” by printing doubles of family pictures. Put 3 or 4 sets of matching cards face-down on the table and begin playing. After the game is over, have your child sort all of the photos by gender, age, hair color, or another defining characteristic.
• Let your child help you set the dinner table. Rather than set each place individually, prepare for a family-style meal by putting all plates, glasses and utensils in a jumbled pile in the middle of the table. Then ask your child to sort all dinner forks into one pile, all knives into a different pile, all glasses into a third group, etc.

Ordinal Numbers (1)

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Ordinal Numbers (2)

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Putting numbers in order

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Ordinal Numbers (4)

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Ordinal Numbers (5)

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Ordinal Numbers (6)
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Ordinal Numbers (7)

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Ordinal Numbers (8)

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Ordinal Numbers (9)

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Why ordinal numbers are important

Ordinal numbers are the words that tell us the order or position of things. Knowing these helps children communicate effectively and with less effort. It is much easier, for example, to identify someone in line as the fourth person, rather than having to explain specific details about that person (such as hair color or clothing) to identify the person.

Extra tips for using ordinal numbers worksheets

In the beginning level worksheets, focus on the three most commonly used (but most difficult to learn) ordinal numbers: first, second, and third. These ordinal numbers are difficult to learn because the word does not sound like the number it represents (unlike the ordinal tenth, for example, which follow the familiar pattern of adding the letters “th” to the end of the number’s name.

To help your child understand that these words indicate a numbered position, ask your child to first count using number words (“one, two, three”) as he points to each picture in the row. Next ask him to point and count again, this time using the ordinal numbers as he counts.

To help your child focus, you may want to fold the paper along the middle line to separate the blue side and the yellow side. Then ask your child to point to the bottom picture next to the blue boxes and count using ordinal numbers while he moves his finger up the line. Now he is ready to find the matching ordinal number and place that square in the empty box next to the picture. When all the squares are correctly placed in the blue boxes, your child may paste them on the paper. Then repeat the process with the yellow side of the page.

Activities to try at home to supplement the ordinal numbers worksheets

• Ask the members of your family to get in line and ask each person to call off their position using the correct ordinal number, starting from the front of the line: “First, second, third” and so on. Then you can continue the game by calling out directions such as “Will the third person in line run to the door and back as fast as they can?” or “Can the second person in line do ten jumping jacks?”
• Next time you are in an empty elevator with your child, push the buttons for the first five floors. As the elevator rises and the doors open on each floor, have your child help you in calling out the name of the floor using the correct ordinal number, such as “first floor … second floor … third floor … fourth floor … fifth floor.”
• Discuss the three steps (or more) that are involved with getting ready for bed (pajamas, teeth brushing, bedtime story), using the correct ordinal numbers. For example, explain how “First, we brush teeth. Second, we put on pajamas. Third, we read a book.” Ask your child to tell you which comes first, which comes second, and which comes third. Or, you can do the same game by talking about your morning routine of eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc.
• Have your child give you three movement commands, such as hop, clap your hands and touch your shoulders. But ask him to tell you which movement comes first, which comes second and which comes third, using the correct ordinal numbers. Then complete the movements in order and have him tell you if you did them in the correct order.
• Cut three pictures out of a magazine (or ask your child to do the cutting). Then ask him to glue the pictures in a specific order by using ordinal number words in your directions. For example, ask him to: “Paste the flower first, the book second, the ball third and the dog fourth.” Or, grab a handful of your child’s small toys. Then, hand your child the group of toys and ask him to put them in a line, giving him directions using ordinal numbers. For example, as him to “Put the stuffed bear in line first. Put the truck in line second. Put the airplane in line third” and so on.

Missing Numbers

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Missing Numbers (2)

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Missing Numbers (3)

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The importance of skip counting worksheets

Skip counting makes counting large amounts easier, faster and more accurate. When children can separate large groups of items into smaller groups and then skip count, they can avoid the cumbersome chore of counting by ones.

Additional activities to supplement skip counting worksheets

• Practice skip counting when taking a walk or riding in the car. Count out loud to a rhythmic beat so that your child can hear the chant and begin to join in. For example, choose any of his favorite CDs and turn up the bass as the music plays. You and your child will quickly hear the beat which will make skip counting aloud even easier.
• Let your child make “100 collections.” Ask him to pick a small object and collect 100 pieces, such as paper clips, cotton balls or cereal pieces. Ask him to put 10 pieces in a small cup and to let you know when he has 10 cups of items.
• Show your child how to use hash marks to count by 5s. Make four lines and diagonally cross over the lines with the 5th line. Make a series of “hash mark bundles” with your child and let him write the numbers under each one (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.) as he counts to see how many marks you made.

Identifying Patterns

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Identifying Patterns (2)

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Identifying Patterns (3)

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Identifying Patterns (4)

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More about the importance of pattern activities

Understanding patterns is an important mathematical concept that serves as a foundation for other math skills. Counting, for instance, is much easier when a pattern is recognized. For example, when counting by 10, each number ends in a zero.

In addition, understanding patterns helps children make predictions and feel comfortable in their environment as they notice patterns of behavior.

Extra tips for using pattern worksheets

Pattern worksheets are a fun and easy way to introduce children to the importance of patterning. The easiest pattern for children to learn is the AB pattern, where two items alternate ABAB to create a pattern.

The beginning patterning worksheets ask your child to identify this basic AB pattern and complete the pattern by filling in the missing boxes with shapes cut out at the bottom of the page. Since the goal of this worksheet is to practice identifying and completing patterns, consider cutting out the boxes so that they are cleanly cut and the picture is not distorted. To increase your child’s opportunity for success, place the seven cut squares on the table next to the worksheet and review the name of each shape with your child before he begins.

As your child reviews each row on the pattern worksheet, ask him to point to each box and name the shape as he moves across the row. (Naming the color would also work, if that is easier for your child.) When he comes to a blank box, ask him to continue naming the pattern to decide which shape belongs in that empty box to complete the pattern.

If your child is unsure about which shape fits in the empty box, help him narrow the choices to two by highlighting the two shapes used in that row on the worksheet. As he holds the two possible shapes, encourage him to say aloud the pattern again. With only two choices, the answer should be more obvious to your child.

The intermediate pattern worksheets increase in difficulty because the patterns are not only the AB pattern. Also, the missing shape must be drawn in the empty space instead of being picked from a small group of cut-out shapes. If your child is not yet able or comfortable drawing the shape, you may draw in the shape after your child dictates it to you. Or, you could encourage your child to just fill in the missing box with the color of the missing shape.

The advanced pattern worksheets introduce a sequence that is 5, 6, or 7 lines long. Name each line in the pattern with the terms “tall,” “medium,” and “short” and ask your child to point to each line in the row as he says aloud its name using the correct length term. Also, have your child count the number of lines that create the first sequence so that he knows how many lines he has to draw to create each pattern. The first repetition of each pattern is printed boldly, with the dashed lines indicating the start of the second repetition of the pattern. To create a pattern, your child will need to replicate the first series of 5, 6, or 7 lines at least one additional time (since a pattern is any series of things that repeats at least twice).

Pattern activities to try at home to supplement the pattern worksheets

• Practice creating patterns with small pieces of snack food such as cereal, raisins, and grapes. Knowing they get to eat the snack at the end always helps to engage children in an activity. Or, visit a craft store such as Michael’s or Jo Ann Fabric for colorful and inexpensive hands-on materials like puffs and beads which are great for creating patterns and completing pattern activities.
• Point out patterns when you see them in the environment. For example, the red and white alternating stripes on a flag. Or, the traffic light sequence of green light, yellow light, red light, green light, yellow light, red light.
• Create a pattern with hand movements, such as clap, clap, snap, touch your head, clap, clap, snap, touch your head. Repeat the pattern twice then have your child repeat it. Or, create a pattern when you are taking a walk with your child, such as “Step, step, hop, step, step, hop.” Say the pattern aloud as you move. You can also identify a pattern and say it aloud when you notice repetitive movements from your child. For example, when your child is playing with a ball, point out the “bounce, catch, bounce, catch” pattern.
• When eating dinner, eat your food in a specific order and challenge your child to identify the pattern. For example, carrot, carrot, noodle, tomato, carrot, carrot, noodle, tomato. Or, buy different flavored fish-shaped crackers or bear-shaped cookies and challenge your child to eat them in a specific pattern such as cheddar fish cracker, pretzel fish cracker, cheddar fish cracker, wheat fish cracker, cheddar fish cracker, pretzel fish cracker, cheddar fish cracker, wheat fish cracker.

Children in preschool and kindergarten will be expected to identify numerals and be able to match each numeral to a group of items with the same number. These worksheets will help your child practice matching numerals to the amounts they represent, as well as practice distinguishing between different numerals.

Matching Numbers and Amounts

Matching Number and Amounts 1

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Matching Number and Amounts 2

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Matching Number and Amounts 3

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Matching Number and Amounts 4

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Matching Number and Amounts 5

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Matching Number and Amounts 6

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Matching Number and Amounts 7

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Matching Number and Amounts 8

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Matching Number and Amounts 9

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Matching Number and Amounts 10

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Matching Numbers and Words

Matching Numbers and Words 1

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Matching Numbers and Words 2

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Matching Numbers and Words 3

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Matching Numbers and Words 4

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Counting and Matching to Numbers

Counting and Matching to Numbers (1-5)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (1-5)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (1-5)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (3-8)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (4-8)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (3-10)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (5-10)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (11-15)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (14-18)

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Counting and Matching to Numbers (16-20)

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The importance of learning numbers

Numbers are all around us and children will need to learn the name for each numeral symbol and the amount that each symbol represents. Many children are familiar with the words that represent numbers – they know their age or are beginning to count, for example. But they may not recognize numbers in printed form. Learning the names and amounts that each numeral symbol represents is one of the foundation skills in mathematics.

The role of number worksheets

Number worksheets are an excellent way to introduce children to numbers and basic counting. Since worksheets are printed, they allow children to clearly see what each printed number looks like. Also, unlike items such as people, buttons or pencils that can move around while being counted, pictures on a worksheet page remain fixed in one place which allows them to be easily counted. Lastly, while older children may be able to count simply by touching each item one time while counting, a number worksheet allows a younger children to use a pencil or marker to cross off each item as they count, ensuring they do not count any pictures twice.

Activities to try at home to supplement the number worksheets

• Sitting at the computer with your child, type a certain number of letters and ask him to count the letters and then type the corresponding number. Or, encourage your child to type his favorite numbers, saying aloud the number as he types.
• When counting objects, always count from left to right. This gives the eyes important practice moving from left to right, which is how the eyes must move when reading words.
• Count to 20 (or by 2s to 40) while your child washes his hands or brushes his teeth. It will ensure he washes for an appropriate length of time while also reinforcing counting skills. Also, every meal presents opportunities to practice counting. How many peas are on your child’s plate? How many more bites of chicken does he have? Or, reinforce number amounts at snack or meal time. For example, make 4 the “number of the day” and put 4 raisins, 4 chocolate chips, 4 mini-marshmallows and 4 grapes on a plate at snack time.
• A deck of playing cards is great for practicing counting since each card has both the numeral and that number of items on it. 3 diamonds + 4 diamonds = 7 diamonds.
• Have your child count how many steps it takes to get from one room to another or from the front door to your car. Then count how many hops or skips it takes to go the same distance.
• Point out speed limit signs as your drive with your child. Explain how a 20 MPH limit means you need to go slower than a 65 MPH limit, for example, since 20 is less that 65.

Learning to count from 1 to 10, from 1 to 20, and from 1 to 100 are basic math skills for preschool and kindergarten children. Once children are comfortable with basic counting, they are introduced to “counting on.” Counting on involves being able to continue counting from any number, as opposed to restarting at 1 each time your child counts.

Counting in Order

Counting in Order 1

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Counting in Order 2

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Counting in Order 3

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Counting Pictures

Counting 1 Picture
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Counting 2 Pictures

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Counting 3 Pictures

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Counting 4 Pictures

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Counting 5 Pictures

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Counting 6 Pictures

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Counting 7 Pictures

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Counting 8 Pictures

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Counting 9 Pictures

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Count 10 Pictures

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Counting from 1 to 100

Counting to 100 Introduction

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Counting to 50

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Counting to 50 part2

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Counting to 100

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Counting to 100 part 2

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The importance of counting worksheets

Counting is the first and most basic math skill a child learns. Initially, children learn to count by ones from 1 to 10. Next children move on to counting from 11 to 20. Once children are comfortable counting from 1 to 20, the next big step is learning to count by 10s so that children can seamlessly count from 29 to 30 or from 39 to 40, for example.

Knowing the order of the numbers and being able to say them automatically requires exposure and practice, practice, practice – which is why counting worksheets are perfect for young children.

Extra tips for using the beginning counting worksheets

Before you show your child the beginning counting worksheets, ask him to practice counting aloud several times from 1 to 10. This will refresh his memory and reinforce the number sequence before he starts the counting worksheets. It is fine if your child counts from rote memorization without, for example, looking at each finger on his hands, one by one, as he counts.

As your child looks at each row of numbers on the beginning counting worksheets, ask him to point to the number in each circle as he says it out loud. When he reaches the point where he needs to select the next number, encourage your child to simply “continue counting” and say aloud the number that comes next. If your child struggles to say the correct number, consider covering up the two choices on each row and then ask your child to begin counting at the beginning of the row again. Until children understand the format of this worksheet, seeing two choices may be confusing and temporarily halt their counting. Once your child says the correct number, you can reveal the two number choices and he can trace over the dashed-line circle to select the number he just said.

If the multiple rows of numbers are confusing or overwhelming for your child at first, simply fold the paper to expose just one row of numbers at a time.

Help your child complete the missing number worksheets

On the intermediate worksheets, your child must write the missing number in the empty box. As an added challenge, the numbers on these worksheets go from 1 to 20.

Begin by asking your child to count aloud from 1 to 20 before he starts working on a missing number worksheet. This will allow him to practice counting by rote memorization, without worrying about associating each number he says with a printed number on the worksheet page.

When your child is able to comfortably count from 1 to 20, ask your child to look at the first row of numbers on the worksheet and point to each number as he counts out loud. When he comes to an empty box, direct him to first say aloud the missing number and then write that number in the empty box.

If your child says the correct number but is not confident writing it, you can help him in writing the number. You could lightly write the number in the box and then ask him to trace over your writing with a darker pen. Or, you can write the number on a small piece of paper for your child, and he can use that paper as a model while he tries to write the number in the box himself. With practice, your child will become comfortable writing the numbers on his own.

Helping your child practice counting to 50 and counting to 100

Once your child is comfortable counting from 1 to 20, he is ready to tackle the more challenging task of counting from 1 to 50 or counting from 1 to 100.

With the advanced counting worksheets, encourage your child to write the numbers if he can. If he is unsure of how to write the numbers (wondering, for example, if the number 15 is written with a one then a five or a five then a one), suggest that he look at the numbers on either side of the blank space for clues.

When children first learn to write numbers, it is not uncommon for them to switch the position of the numerals, writing 18 as 81, for example. Your child will naturally correct this mistake as he is exposed to more two-digit numbers.

What is a 100s chart

A 100s chart is a visual aid that helps children understand the order of the numbers from 1 to 100. It is an ideal way to show children a variety of math concepts because they can look at the numbers as well as directly see relationships between the numbers (which number is greater than another or the order of the numbers, for example).

Tips for introducing your child to a 100s chart

The simplest way to introduce your child to a 100s chart is by asking him to count aloud as he points to each number on the chart. Point out that the first number on the chart is 1 and the last number is 100. If the whole chart is a bit overwhelming at first, fold the page to reveal just a few rows at a time and ask him to begin counting. Once he begins counting, he will quickly realize that a 100s chart simply lists all the numbers from 1 to 100, in order, and is a handy aid when counting.

Activities to try at home to supplement the counting worksheets

• Count out loud to 20 while your child brushes his teeth. He’ll be listening because he will want to know when he can stop brushing! Or, say aloud the numbers from 1 to 20. As your do, periodically skip a number and challenge your child to catch your mistake and tell you which number you missed.
• Write the numbers 1 through 20 on small index cards and shuffle the cards. Ask your child to place them in the correct order from left to right. Then, call out a number and challenge him to pick the card with that number out of the stack as quickly as possible.
• Pick a number between 1 and 20, 1 and 50 or 1 and 100 and do not tell your child what the number is. Then, ask your child to guess the number you picked by having him say a number and then you can give a hint such as “higher” or “lower” to help guide him to the correct number.
• Have your child count how many steps it takes to get from one room to another or from the front door to your car. Then count how many hops or skips it takes to go the same distance. Once your child is comfortable with this game, you can encourage him to estimate the number of hops, skips, or steps it will take before he actually counts it out.
• Place two piles of beans, beads or pennies in front of your child and ask him which has more. Then ask him to count each pile to check his guess.
• When giving your child bite-sized snacks, let your child grab a handful and ask him to count each one to see how many he grabbed.

It is important for all children to be able to properly write the numbers. Practice with tracing numbers worksheets is the easiest way for children to quickly master this skill, since learning to properly write each number requires lots of practice. The tracing numbers worksheets above highlight the correct formation of each number and will give your child numerous opportunities to trace each number and also practice writing each number freehand. Each tracing numbers worksheet also includes a tip for helping your child quickly master the proper formation of that number.

Tracing Number 0

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Tracing Number 1

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Tracing Number 2

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Tracing Number 3

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Tracing Number 4

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Tracing Number 5

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Tracing Number 6

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Tracing Number 7

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Tracing Number 8

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Trace Number Formation 0-4

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Tracing Number 9

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Trace Number Formation 5-9

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Tracing Number 10

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The importance of number tracing worksheets

Numbers are used to communicate information such as monetary amounts or important values and need to be written legibly to be accurate. An improperly formed 2, for example, could be misread as a 7. Or, an upside-down 6 could be misread as a 9. In order to properly complete kindergarten math activities (and any math or number activity thereafter), your child will need to know how to properly write each number. Using tracing numbers worksheets will ensure that your child learns the proper formation of each number and gets ample opportunities to practice writing each number.

Tips for using the tracing numbers worksheets

Start with the writing numbers worksheet for number 1. That is not only the first number your child will begin counting with, but it is also the easiest number for children to write.

Direct your child to trace each number following the direction of the arrows to learn the proper formation. Remind him that, except for number 4, all the numbers are written in one stroke, without lifting up the pencil. After he has traced the number a few times, challenge him to try writing the number freehand on the blank line at the bottom of the writing numbers worksheet. Once your child writes the number freehand a few times, you can go back to the tracing portion of the worksheet to help your child hone the proper formation of the number, if necessary.

If your child is struggling to write a particular number, try breaking the formation of that number down into steps and focus on one step at a time. For example, have your child try writing the “first loop” of the 3 or the “hat and neck” of the 5 repeatedly before adding the rest of the number. Once your child is comfortable writing the first part of the number, he can focus on simply finishing the number correctly.

Children can also become confused about which direction to move the pencil when beginning a number, and for good reason. The 2, 3, and 7 begin on the left and move to the right. The 5, 6, 8, and 9 begin with the pencil on the right and move “backwards” to the left. And then the 4 moves down before moving to the right.

When learning to write the numbers, children often get confused and reverse the number because they begin on the wrong side and move the pencil in the opposite direction. They often don’t even recognize their error as they are concentrating on the numeral formation. Simply let your child know that the formation was correct but that he “turned the number around” and ask him to try again by helping him position his pencil in the correct starting place. Bringing back the writing numbers worksheets for review can be very helpful in this instance as practice usually resolves these reversal issues.

Extra tips for helping your child practice tracing numbers

Number 0. Tell your child that the zero is similar to an uppercase O except that it is an oval shape instead of a round circle.

Number 1. This is the easiest numeral to write! Direct your child to simply draw a straight vertical line from the top of the writing line to the bottom.

Number 2. Show your child how a 2 looks like a slanted cane with a foot. Direct him to start just under the top line so that he can create a nice hook on the cane and to pause briefly at the bottom line to get a sharp point before changing direction to add the horizontal “foot.”

Number 3. Ask your child to try to make two curves the same size without lifting his pencil. To get a sharp point where the two curves meet, remind him to pause briefly before changing direction completely to create the second curve.

Number 4. This is the only numeral that requires two strokes. Direct your child to first make half of a box, going down to the middle line and moving across to the right. Remind him that the second stroke should cut through the first leaving a little tail on the horizontal line.

Number 5. This numeral is made with one stroke. Direct your child to “make a hat” (horizontal line to the left), “then a neck” (vertical line down to the dotted middle writing line), and “then a fat, round belly” (curve up and around, touching the bottom writing line). This numeral is the only one with a horizontal line that moves to the left, so guide him as he gets started.

Number 6. Children often call this the “curly” number! Remind your child to move his pencil down and around to the left as he starts this number.

Number 7. This number is not too difficult once your child moves the pencil in the correct direction to the right. Remind him to stop briefly to get a sharp point when he changes direction to make the vertical, slanted line.

Number 8. Let your child know that this is the most difficult numeral to write. Direct him to start by making an S-shaped line. Then, without lifting his pencil, ask him to complete each small circle.

Number 9. Remind your child to begin with his pencil just under the top writing line to get a nice round circle. When the circle is completed, pause and then draw the straight line without lifting the pencil off the paper.