We’ve been hard at work with counting activities for preschool this winter. Practice counting in order is often effortless, but filling in the missing number can be a bit of a challenge. These FREE Winter Missing Number Clip Cards for Kindergarten are a great way for students to work independently on number sense. They are also a great review counting game for 1st graders! Just print and place the cards at the kindergarten or preschool math center with some clips and enjoy!
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Learning With Winter Math Activities In Kindergarten
COUNTING SKILLS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
WINTER THEME LEARNING ACTIVITIES ARE A GREAT WAY TO KEEP LEARNING FRESH WHEN DAYS GET LONG. KIDS LOVE COUNTING GAMES IN KINDERGARTEN BECAUSE IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE.
This winter activity takes what might be a boring numbers worksheet and turns it into hands-on fun. As a bonus, pinching the clothespins works those important fine motor muscles.
Winter math activities for preschool and kindergarten can focus on skills you’ve been working on all fall, like counting! Students need so much repetition and practice when it comes to numbers! This math center for kindergarten gives them the necessary practice.
In order to figure out what number is missing on these fun winter theme cards, students must know number sequence and number identification. They love the winter pictures of skaters, skiers, and a snowman counting along with them.
In addition to learning how to figure out the missing number, students can begin to use important math vocabulary:
- What number comes after 7?
- What number is before 3?
- What number is between 4 and 6?
- What is 1 less/more than 5?
What Can Children Learn With a Free Math Center for Kindergarten?
KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL WINTER MATH
MISSING NUMBER WORKSHEETS FOR KINDERGARTEN ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CURRICULUM. WHY NOT SPICE THINGS UP WITH A MORE HANDS-ON ACTIVITY!
To make the cards self-correcting, you can draw a light colored dot on the back of the correct numeral, so the kids can flip them over to check their work.
- Counting sequences
- Number identification
- Counting fluency
- Number relationships
Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn About Missing Numbers?
Counting is a key component of early childhood math skills. Children need tons of repetition and practice before it becomes effortless.
Automaticity
Every kindergarten and preschool counting activity develops automaticity in counting and naming numbers. As this fluency develops it makes applying the numbers to add, subtract, etc., much easier.
Number Sense
Knowing how to figure out which number is missing in a sequence is a key component of number sense, which is the ability to understand, relate, and connect numbers.
Foundational Skill
Counting is a basic foundational skill for math. Kids need to know how to easily count forwards, backwards, and skip count to begin to apply that to more advanced math concepts.
Make Connections
Understanding the value of numbers is important. As children work with missing numbers and hear language like, “3 is more than 2,” or “10 is less than 11,” they begin to make important connections about numbers having value, not just a name.
How to Make The Winter Missing Number Clip Cards
Step One:
Print on cardstock. If you want to make the cards self-checking, place a small sticker/dot on the back of the card behind the correct number.
Step Two:
Cut the winter activity cards apart and laminate (optional).
Step Three:
Place a basket of clothespins at the math center for kindergarten.
Step Four:
To play, children pick a fill in the missing number card. Then, they should read the numbers out loud to determine the missing number. Finally, choose the answer by clipping it. They can leave it clipped for you to check later, or self-check by flipping the card over.
Our Favorite Winter 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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Downhill Fun: A Counting Book About Winter (Know Your Numbers)One Snowy Day: A Winter Weather Book For Kids (Counting Books For Toddlers, Learning Numbers)
The Twelve Days of Winter: A School Counting Book
100 Snowflakes: A Winter Counting Book (1, 2, 3 Count With Me)
Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money
Let’s Count Christmas Edition: A Counting Kids Book | Xmas Fun & Interactive Picture Book for Preschoolers & Toddlers to Learn to Count
Make a Game
Learning is always more fun when we can turn math centers in kindergarten into games. Add a die for students to roll to award themselves points as they complete each card.
Make a Worksheet
Print the counting game for kindergarten on regular paper and ask kids to record their answers after they clip a card by circling it on the paper.
Oral Counting
Oral counting games in kindergarten are fun! Turn the cards into a game by having one student with the card say the numbers, leaving out the missing number. Their partner then has to identify orally what’s missing.