Paper Plate Numbers

This is a simple, fun activity to learn and count numbers. I got this idea out of the Toddler's Busy Book on page 196.

AGE RANGE

Two and up. Some children between 18-24 months might be able to use this. Even once this activity is too simple for your child, you could use the plates for addition activities.

SUPPLIES

• Paper plates
• Markers
• Stickers

PREP

1. Decide how many numbers you want to do. You need two plates for each number. I did six, so I had 12 plates.
2. On half of the plates, write the number on the plate along with the correct number of stickers. So on three, you would write the number 3, possibly spell out three, and put three stickers.
3. On the other half of the plates, put only stickers. I had mine match each other. So on my plate three, I have Winnie the Pooh stickers on each number three plate. If you are wanting to do this for an older child (preschooler age or knows numbers well), you could do different stickers. You could also do just the number on one plate with no stickers and stickers on the other plate.

ACTIVITY

1. Spread the plates out.
2. Have your child find matches. Exactly how you go about this will depend on your child's familiarity with numbers. You might say, "Find the number two plate" and have your child find it and then ask your child to find the match. You might point to one plate, tell your child what number it is, count the stickers, and ask your child to find the match. You might point to the plate and ask your child what number it is. "That's right! That is the number four. Can you find the other number four plate?" There are many possibilities. I vary it based on age and ability. No matter what the age and ability, though, I have the child count the stickers on the plate.