Free Number Formation Cards to Add to Your Preschool Writing Center

I like when I can give my kids activities that they enjoy doing and can help strengthen skills that they need for preschool or even kindergarten. When they can learn while playing, I feel like I am doing a good job. That is where these Number Formation Cards come in. These cards are perfect for a preschool math or writing center. 

This post includes a free printable Number Formation Cards, so be sure to grab it from the end of this post.

Number Formation Cards to Add to Your Preschool Writing Center

Do you struggle to engage your preschoolers at the writing center? I know I do sometimes. 

This last year, I felt like I had an entire class full of resistant writers. While they loved the art center and the literacy center, none of them loved my preschool writing center.

Now, I believe strongly that preschoolers can be writers so I put a great deal of effort into making my preschool writing center more enticing. I added different writing utensils and different kinds of papers. From traditional pencils to crayon rocks. From cut sheets to paper note pads. I even added stickers and tried to keep my writing center thematic.

But my preschoolers last year were not interested.

They whined. They complained. They asked to do something else. Anything else.

I became increasingly frustrated, wringing my hands together every time any one of my preschoolers let out a visible sigh.

And then I just started to feel discouraged. After-all, how could I send these precious preschoolers on to kindergarten if they had no interest in writing?!

If they could not write at all!?

That’s when I added these number formation cards to my preschool writing center. I know, numbers at the writing center?! You betcha’!

Adding number formation cards to my preschool writing center made the center feel new and different. They took the pressure off having to “do things the right way,” and allowed my preschoolers to explore writing in a different format.

Now, of course, you can keep these cards for your preschool math centers, but I really love having them in my writing center. They hold a certain draw for my “left-brained” kiddos.

Be sure to grab a free copy of these number formation cards to add to your preschool writing center! You can download them at the end of this post.

Number Formation Cards For Preschoolers

If you are teaching preschoolers how to write numbers, these cards are for you. Whether are implementing this activity in small groups or for individual children, these small cards are great for preschooler’s hands. 

Like all my free printables, be sure to read to the end of this post for more ideas on how to use these number formation writing cards.

Materials 

• free number formation cards
• Crayons or Dry Erase Marker 
• Hole Punch and Binder Ring (Optional)

The Set-Up

We have used these number formation cards in many different ways so there are a couple of ways to set up. We have left in just paper form, not laminating, and used with crayons. This option makes the cards easy to send home with parents at the end of the day. My parents appreciate seeing their child’s progress in writing this way, plus parents then use the card at home to do informal counting activities.

The other option is to laminate (or put them in a dry erase pocket) and use with dry-erase markers. There’s something about using dry erase markers that draws just about any preschooler.

How to Use these Cards in your Preschool Writing Center

Tracing mats are one of my favorite ways to help preschoolers learn and practice letter formation. Including a fun theme to these printables for preschool writing practice is a great way to encourage children to want to learn with printables to practice writing numbers. This is great for both a writing or math center! 

Now, these number tracing cards are not thematic, but that just means they can pair with any theme in your classroom.

Use these Number Formation Cards for Finger Tracing

My favorite way to use these cards is to have my preschoolers trace the numbers with their fingers. This is especially helpful for toddlers and young preschoolers who might not enjoy the preschool writing center because they lack pencil grasp skills. 

Model first how to form the number, and then invite them to try it themselves.

Use these Number Formation Cards with a Salt Tray

Once preschoolers get the hang of the formation by tracing the numbers with their fingers, you can add the cards to a salt tray. This Montessori-inspired approach is helpful for tactile learners. You’re not limited to just using salt in the tray either. Match the contents to the theme and try sprinkles, dirt, rainbow rice, or cornmeal, or even something like birdseed!

Use these Number Formation Cards on a Binger Ring

This set is super versatile because they can be hole punched and connected with a binder ring. This way preschoolers can take them to any part of the room or house. Having this versatility is fantastic if you have flexible seating. If kids choose to sit on a beanbag chair, under the table, in the grass, or this can even be done in the car. Heck, I’ve brought them along to the waiting room at the doctor’s office, even!

Use these Number Formation Cards with Playdough

Do you include playdough from time to time in your preschooler writing center? You should!

Playdough is my all-time favorite hand-strengthing tool for preschoolers. If you have a preschooler who has an immature pencil grasp for their age, then playdough is the “writing tool” for them!

Use these Number Formation Cards with Parents

Another great benefit is that they can be sent home without lamination to be completed with crayons for rainbow writing. This is perfect for long weekends! 

I do not support these cards as being used for “homework,” but parents appreciate having extra resources to reinforce what their child is learning in the classroom. In fact, you can encourage parents to create their own at home writing center. 

Is One Writing Utensil Better Than the Other?

When teaching writing, especially letter formation and not other pre-writing skills, the writing utensil you offer is important.

If your preschooler already has a mature pencil grasp by using a tripod or quadrupod grasp, then use colored pencils.

If your preschooler still has an immature pencil grasp, then use crayons.

And if your preschooler is really struggling with developing any kind of pincer grasp while using writing utensils, then I recommend tracing with fingers or using these crayon rocks. They are my favorite tools for helping my preschoolers develop the right pencil grasp.

Regardless of what tool is used, children will be gaining exposure to the number shape and its name. 

*** Don’t forget to grab your free copy of these number formation cards at the end of this post and add them to your preschool writing center! ***

How to Use Number Formation Cards in Your Preschool Math Center

Do you include writing activities in your preschool math center? You should!

Number formation is important, just like mastering counting is. Here are some ideas on how to include these number formation cards in your preschool math center.

1. Use them to practice number tracing using any of the activities above!
2. Put the cards in sequential order or use them to practice more and less concepts.
3. Use math counters to count out the number on the card. Bonus points if the preschooler traces the card first and then add the counters over the number.
4. Use the cards to make sets of the number. For example, a set of five cars, five blocks, five family counters, etc.
5. Add these cards to your math bulletin board and invite the children to practice finger tracing the numbers on the wall or in the air.
6. Or use them to teach addition to preschoolers like in this preschool addition activity.

Looking for More FREE Math Printables?

You might be interested in these free printable math activities.

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Need Some Math Lesson Plans?

Each unit features an entire month of preschool math activities, including eight printable math centers, daily review, and small group activities, and even picture book recommendations!

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Get Your FREE Number Formation Cards Here

Click the image below to grab your free number formation cards. They’ll be sent to your email.

Check Out These Number Activities, too!

If you’re looking for a few more number activities for preschoolers, then take a look at these. They also include free printables.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Number Formation Cards // Stay at Home Educator

Pirate Number Puzzles // Modern Preschool

Number Strips // Teach Me Mommy

Sarah Punkoney, MAT

I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

stayathomeeducator.com/