Number identification is an important part of preschool, but did you know that learning number order is too? Knowing number order helps preschoolers make associations with numbers, so it’s important. Try these fall themed number order printables with your preschoolers.
This post contains a free printable for preschoolers, so be sure to grab it from the end of the post.
Fall Themed Number Order Printable for Preschoolers
Preschool number activities often involve counting, but merely reciting the number words isn’t enough. Yes, your pediatrician is going to ask if your four-year-old can count to ten, but there is so much more to math than just counting!
Children also need to develop what is known as number sense.
Number sense for preschoolers includes skills such as:
- quantification (knowledge of specific quantities)
- number identification (naming numbers)
- counting with one to one correspondence (each number corresponds to one specific quantity)
- sequencing numbers (putting numbers in order)
- composing numbers (addition)
- decomposing numbers (subtraction)
- understanding of the number system (how numbers relate to one another)
Number Order Puzzles for Fall Preschool Theme
These number order puzzles are a cinch to prepare which makes them all the better for teaching number order to preschoolers! But be sure to read all my other ideas at the end of the post on how else to use these puzzles.
Materials
- free number order printable
- buttons or small manipulatives (optional)
The Set-Up
Print the puzzles on heavy card stock, laminate, and cut. With these being what I call “strip” puzzles, meaning the pieces are long and thin, don’t skip the heavy card stock and certainly don’t skip the lamination!
Mark the back of each puzzle piece with a specific symbol so you can keep track of which pieces go with which set. This printable includes four puzzles. Alternatively, you can add colored star stickers or mini dot stickers to the back of each puzzle. (I love these mini dot stickers to fine motor activities).
Place the puzzles each on their own work tray, or if not using a tray then a pint size mason jar works well to keep them organized. Invite your preschooler to come do some number order puzzles with you!
How to Use the Number Order Puzzles
These puzzles are pretty straight-forward. Just put the strips in order using the pictures on each piece as a guide.
Here are a few suggestions or tips for doing number order puzzles with your preschoolers:
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- Always have your preschooler practice one-to-one correspondence by counting the number of pictures on each puzzle piece before finding its place in the puzzle. (Help them make the connection to the numeral at the bottom of each piece, too).
- If your preschooler isn’t familiar with all the numbers 1-10, then start with just a handful of numbers. Maybe 1-3 or 1-5.
- Allow your preschooler time to recognize their own mistakes while they are working. After some time, go back and redirect your preschooler to find their mistakes and correct them.
- Offer a number line or a set of number for your preschooler to match and follow. In fact, you can print a second copy of the puzzles in black and white (don’t cut it out), and use it as a mat for your preschooler to match the color version.
If you want your preschooler to get even more counting practice in, offer a set of small buttons or themed mini erasers to place on top of each picture as they count. I love this alternative because they get twice the counting practice plus, who doesn’t like a little extra fall fun?
Other Ways to Use These Number Order Puzzles
You know me. I never want to send you off without some other ways to use my printables. I mean, ink is expensive, so lets get a ton of use out of these printables!
- Challenge your preschooler to start int he middle of the puzzle, rather than the beginning.
- Or put the number in descending order, going from ten to one.
- Select 3-5 puzzle pieces and invite your preschooler to put them in order of height.
- Speaking of height, have your preschooler find items in the classroom that are the same height as the pictures in the puzzle pieces. Then add buttons over each picture to “count how high” the item is.
- Use other fall themed manipulatives to count under each puzzle strip.
Looking for More Number Printables for Preschoolers?
These are some of my best, and they’e all free. Be sure to grab them all!
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Need Some Done-for-You Preschool Math Lesson Plans?
Take your weekends and evenings back and let me do the work for you. Click on the images to learn more about each set of lesson plans.
Grab Your FREE Number Order Printable for Preschoolers!
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I am Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home mama of five! I am 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 range of levels, including preschool and college, and a little bit of just about 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
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