Who loves sock monkeys?! I do, I do! Seriously, I love these Free Printable Sock Monkey Leaf Counting Cards. These little monkeys are so adorable! My preschooler loved playing with the counting mats for the past week. The cards are the perfect way to work on number sense, one-to-one correspondence, and number recognition. It’s a hands-on counting activity for preschool your children will love.
If you’ve missed out, find the pumpkin truck counting cards and the candy corn counting cards that I’ve already shared and be sure to check back often because I have a whole series of cards to share with you!
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Counting Math Activities for Preschool
COUNTING 1 TO 10 WITH FALL MATH ACTIVITIES
COUNTING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ALL PRESCHOOL MATH LESSON PLANS. KIDS NEED LOTS OF REPETITION, PRACTICE, AND FUN COUNTING GAMES TO BECOME FLUENT.
Counting is a key piece of building number sense, or the ability to understand and relate numbers. Young children learn counting skills best when they interact with hands-on games and activities rather than rote counting alone which can get boring.
Counting in itself is really more than just one skill. It involves sequencing numbers, of course, but closely related is number identification and writing numbers, not to mention understanding quantity.
The fall preschool counting cards help children practice all of the skills involved with learning to count. It will help increase their fluency, build their confidence, and have fun while learning.
The fall math activity for preschool works best at a math center. You can teach it to small groups first, and then when children see it at the math center they will know what to do!
While kids are working on counting fall leaves on each card, you can ask them additional questions for thought:
- Is that number less than 10? How do you know?
- Are there other groups of 2/3 somewhere in the classroom? Where?
- Can you count to 5 again? Backwards?
- How do you know that might be 6 leaves without counting them?
What Can Preschoolers Learn While Working On Fall Counting Cards?
ONE-TO-ONE CORRESPONDENCE
COUNTING GROUPS OF OBJECTS IS AN IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT TAKES A LOT OF REPETITION AND PRACTICE.
If you’ve ever watched a young learner count a group of objects, you’ve noticed that sometimes their mouths move faster than their fingers, they skip objects, or they count objects more than once.
Being able to touch each object once and assign it a number is called one-to-one correspondence and it is important. Here are some other skills the fall counting cards develop:
- Number identification
- Number formation
- Quantity
- Counting fluency
Why Is It Important For Kids To Work On Number Sense Activities?
Preschool counting worksheets and number recognition activities and games provide a solid foundation for future math skills.
Number Identification
Number identification is sometimes the first step towards understanding what numbers are. Kids need lots of practice to be able to look at a number and name it appropriately.
Counting Fluency
Being able to count smoothly and effortlessly goes a long way toward ease with future math concepts and skills. It takes lots of counting practice to reach that level of ease.
One-to One Correspondence
Counting groups of objects and assigning each object one more gives meaning to the numbers that kids identify. Then they begin understanding quantity.
Make Connections
Preschool counting games help kids make connections between different numbers. It helps them see 10 is greater than 2, or 5 is an odd number.
Tools you’ll need
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How to Make The Sock Monkey Counting Cards
To Prep:
Print the counting cards on a piece of paper/cardstock and laminate. Cut the cards apart.
To Use:
Cover the leaves on the counting cards with the correct number of leaves.
These cards are perfect to new learners who are not ready for independent counting. The kids simply cover each leaf on the card as they are counting. That way they know when to stop for each number.
Our Favorite Counting Books:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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Easy Product DisplaysCounting Animals on the Farm: Counting book for kids, Learn numbers from 1 to10, Counting AnimalsCounting Crocodiles
Ten Black Dots
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early Board Books)
Curious George Learns to Count from 1 to 100 Big Book
Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
Products here
Sensory Bin
Hide the cards in a sensory bin to add an element of mystery to this counting game for preschool. Find a card, count, repeat. Use play dough to form the numbers as an additional sensory experience.
Sequence
These fall themed cards are perfect for working on number order. Depending on the skill level of the child, mix them up and put them back in order, or put them in order and remove a card and ask the child which number is missing.
Play a Game
Place the cards upside down in a draw pile. Practice counting by drawing a card and counting the leaves. Kids can also trace the numeral with their finger.