Why Number Writing Is Essential for School Readiness
We correctly put a lot of emphasis on teaching our kids to read and write the alphabet but what about teaching them how to write their numbers? Being able to automatically and routinely write numbers is vital for developing the number knowledge that is essential to math readiness. But there is more to it, research shows that early math education is predictive of overall school achievement.
So, by helping them successfully write their numbers, you are giving your kid one more tool to thrive at school.
Why learn to write numbers?
When your little one is beginning their math education, they are building the important skills they will need for success in the classroom or for learning at home. Early math instruction is just great preparation for organised thinking and is linked to self-regulation and executive functioning, including working memory.
Math is obviously essential for everyday life but it also gives your child another way to think about their world. There is a wonderful logic in how numbers connect, can be combined and can be measured. But maths is about identifying patterns and correlations and that requires anayltical and critical thinking skills, and those are skills your child will need in life.
It’s important to understand that number writing is not just number copying but is intrinsically linked to the keystone of math education, number knowledge. Your little one is learning that each number is a symbol, and numbers are very much like the alphabet of the international language of math. Each symbol they write has meaning and function. It’s important to teach not just the process of writing but function, that each number symbol represents an amount of countable objects. When teaching your child to write numbers it is just as important to learn how to say the numbers, count, sequence and compare them.
Numbers can only be used when understood, they can only be understood when they can be constructed.
Why practice is important
It’s important that after we’ve given explicit instruction to our child about the correct way to form numbers that we give them plenty of practice so that each step becomes automatic. If number writing is automatic, it reduces the cognitive load and frees up your kid to think about the meaning and the function of each number. That’s important if they are to progress and do higher order math.
The skills they need to write numbers
It’s a combination of skills that need to be coordinated. Your child will need to combine memory, visual-spatial perception and fine motor skills to:
Remember each number - this includes number recognition but also tactile memory that builds as a result of repeatedly forming the numbers
Understand the components of each number and the sequence in which they appear; left-right, up-down and correct orientation
Be able to control the fine motor movements needed to form each number
The developmental stages of number writing
As always, there is the disclaimer that each child is unique and will vary at what pace they move through each of these stages. If you are at all concerned about your child’s progress, please reach out to an educational or medical professional.
Stage One
Before Pre-K or at Pre-K, your child will have limited number knowledge or recognition and what you’ll see them produce on the page will be random markings or squiggles - you can read more about the importance of childhood squiggles in our article on ….. At this early stage, they have limited fine motor and visual-spatial skills, so controlling the pencil and understanding how to construct the number is difficult. As they have no previous practice in number formation, there is no tactile memory to pull upon.
Stage Two
As their fine motor skills improve, they will start to develop a pincer grasp and better control of the writing tool. Although their number knowledge is improving, and they are recognising the symbols, they lack the tactile memory that comes from repetition and won’t be able to reproduce efficiently what they see. As visual-spatial skills are still developing they may struggle to write numbers of the same size and may mix up number orientation.
Stage Three
Your child can now write numbers quickly, at size and with the correct orientation as they have developed the visual-spatial skills and the tactile memory on which they will rely to write automatically. As their number knowledge and symbol recognition is improving, they are now able to broaden their understanding of patterns and numbers beyond 10.
How to help your child learn to write numbers
Number games
As a parent or carer, you probably have a nighttime routine of reading a bedtime story to your little one. What about introducing math games into their day?
Teaching number writing through math games improves not just the actual writing but number knowledge and symbol recognition. Games that focus on building the concepts of number formation, identification and comparison can be a fun way to engage your child in learning math. Board games, active or card games are an easy way to systematically teach number writing as part of the purpose of the game.
Examples of games include:
Each time you play a board game that involves dice, have your child count and write the number rolled by the die on each turn.
For a more active game play skittles where the child needs to count and write the number of skittles knocked down each turn.
Give your child a target number, ask them to toss an allocated number of balls into a basket and then count and write how many balls made it into the basket. Did they reach their target number?
2. Trace numbers
The traditional method of tracing numbers is an important tool to learn correct stroke formation and it is a fabulous way to ensure your little one begins to develop the tactile memory they will rely on to write numbers automatically.
It’s important to remember the stages of number writing progression. Your kid is still developing their fine motor skills. Little hands will need to develop the muscles for writing. Forcing a child to practice with a tripod grasp before they are ready will lead to frustration, and physical discomfort. Be patient while you encourage them on their number writing journey.
3. Get tactile
Consider supplementing the traditional number writing method of pencil to paper with tactile opportunties for number recognition and formation. Add some craft into the mix and have your child create their own tactile number cards. Have them use a sensory tray and trace numbers through shaving cream, rice or sand. To extend this opportunity, have them match the number to objects. Counting and touching an object gives them an understanding that each item represents a quantity they can match to the number symbol.
You can access free tactile 0 to 9 number card templates here (plain) and here (stroke order). For more creative examples of how to introduce number recognition and formation activities into your day, including examples of tactile cards and sensory trays, read our post on sensory learning.
4. Use positive language about maths
It is important that we create positive language around maths. Although it may seem supportive to say, ‘Don’t worry, I was never any good at maths’ or ‘Some people are maths people,’ the implication here is that math is not for everyone and some people are just bad at it. Rather than reassure, it can have the oppositive effect of creating tension around numbers and the challenges of problem solving. It can also lead to math avoidance. But the research shows, when children are taught in an age appropriate and engaging way, math appeals to them. Young children like the regularity and predictability of math.
Creating a positive experience around math can start early. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming. The easiest way is through games, play or daily activities. These are great opportunities to engage your kid in math talk and math thinking. Consider the process of setting the table and ask, ‘How many plates will we need tonight?’ When getting out toys, count objects or talk about sets, ‘You have 4 cars.’ Research shows, that children who hear talk about numbers or spatial relations (shapes, or object features - straight line, tall or short) have a more developed math knowledge. Combine this with active number writing and they are on the path to school readiness.
The final word…
As direct instruction in number writing is predictive of number knowledge, and a reliable indicator of overall early math knowledge, it is important to give your child every opportunity to learn number formation. Make numbers an integral part of your little one’s day. Think of number talk and number games as being as important as reading to your child.