# data[].attributes.body
Fun game ideas to do at home for beginning number sense.  Plus, the website/institution is all about incorporating play into the day.  I didn't look around too much, but the sight overall seems geared at primary and early childhood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Encouraging a love of numbers throughout childhood helps children to develop a strong understanding of numbers, which is often called having good number sense. Children with strong number sense have the ability to use numbers confidently, with flexibility and with place value understanding. This means a child with strong number sense understands relationships between numbers. For example, when thinking about the number four, a child might describe it as three less than seven, one less than five, three more than one and one more than three. This child will also be able to estimate quickly by seeing numbers or groups of objects as sets instead of needing to count by ones. In addition, a child will be flexible with numbers which often allows them to build their own meaningful ways for solving number equations or when problem solving. These abilities will help build children's mathematical confidence, as they understand how numbers work and thus become quick and reflective mathematical thinkers.

There are many fun, engaging ways to incorporate daily number sense activities at home. The list below shows how to get started building number sense activities into your daily lives with your children. Once we open the door, children soon realize that numbers really are everywhere and armed with this knowledge most children will want to interact with numbers on a regular basis.
Activities to Encourage Number Sense:
Guess My Number (use a hundreds chart or a number line) - Dinnertime is the perfect time to play a simple number game such as Guess My Number. To play, ask one player to choose a number within a set and comfortable (based on age) range such as 1-100. This number remains secret until someone guesses it. To start have one participant at a time take turns narrowing the range until one is able to guess the number. Questions might include: Is it greater than fifty? Is it an even number? Is it less than eighty? Is it more than twenty? The range of numbers should narrow each time until someone guesses the actual number.

Tip: It is very useful to use a laminated hundreds chart or number lines with young learners. This way, the guesses can be highlighted and the range can be shown as it narrows. This shows players which numbers they have left to choose from and has them interacting with a hundreds chart. You can download and print a hundreds chart here.

To play hundreds chart riddles, have one player choose a number. This number will be kept a secret. I usually ask the child to write it down but turn it over. This way, if the child forgets he/she can have a quick look. Next, this player provides one clue at a time for other players until the number is guessed. Clues start out broad and then narrow in on the number. For example: 1. My number is two digits. 2. My number is greater than forty. 3. My number is less than sixty. 4. One of the digits of my number is an even number. 5. One of the digits of my number is two less than nine.

Tip: This game can also be played using a number line with preschool / kindergarten students. Number lines could be 0 through 10 or up to 20.

Go Fish with A Twist: Change up the game of "Go Fish" by asking your child to use equations or number relationships when asking for a number card. For example, instead of asking: "Do you have a ten?" your child may ask: "Do you have the answer to five plus five more?" Instead of asking: "Do you have the number 4?" Your child may ask: "Do you have three less than seven?" This way both all players are using mental math to quickly do equations and learning how numbers relate to one another.

Tip: For children five and under, use the cards 0 through 5 and encourage equation building with their fingers. Or simply play "Go Fish" the traditional way using number cards.

Children's Literature: Reading picture books with children almost always leads to rich discussions. Using picture books that focus on mathematical concepts are no different. Children often want to solve the problems while reading, or discuss possibilities. Greg Tang is the author of a unique and engaging series of picture books for children that encourage them to build their estimation skills. You will find most children adore reading these and learn skills in the process. I will often share a picture for only ten seconds, close the book, and then have children share an answer with an explanation of how they estimated the amount. Such fun!

Tip: I've created a short list of books below to get you started. But there are many fabulous mathematical picture books out there waiting to be read and discussed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Encouraging a love of numbers throughout childhood helps children to develop a strong understanding of numbers, which is often called having good number sense. Children with strong number sense have the ability to use numbers confidently, with flexibility and with place value understanding. This means a child with strong number sense understands relationships between numbers.

# data[].attributes.body
Offers some practical ways for parents to help their kids with number sense at home (specific to skills practiced at K-2 grade).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Working math into everyday routines can pay off. Kids who are comfortable with numbers in early elementary grades won't freeze up in the face of tough math challenges later on in middle school, find University of Chicago researchers. "Math anxiety distracts students from learning and performing their best," explains Sian Beilock, Ph.D., the study's co-author.

No math whiz yourself? Instead of "I stink at math," say "This is an interesting challenge!" Review your fractions, and model perseverance in figuring out problems. Then try these ideas together:

For kindergartners
Count everything
Grapes at lunch, red cars on the walk to school. Throw a stuffed-animal picnic and have your kid count out cups and plates.

Go outside
Explore ideas of taller, bigger, and heavier with trees, rocks, and plants.

Discover math everywhere
Which glass has more milk? Do you all have the same number of crackers?

For first-graders
Add differently
"99+99+99 is easy if kids know 99 is 100-1," says J. Steve Santacruz of Mathnasium in New York City. Add 100 three times and subtract 3.

Roll the dice
It's a fun way to add. Find games at Boxcarsandoneeyedjacks.com.

Make fractions 3-D
Cut a sandwich in half - and then in fourths and eighths, too.

For second-graders
Introduce geometry
Draw an octagon or a rhombus in the sand or dirt with a stick. Count the sides and angles.

Rephrase
He'll likely grasp "How much is three four times?" better than "What's 3 times 4?" says Santacruz.

Don't always start at zero
Shake things up by counting by 2s starting at 3, by 5s from 2, or by 10s from 15.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Super-Easy Ways to Boost Early Math Skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working math into everyday routines can pay off. Kids who are comfortable with numbers in early elementary grades won't freeze up in the face of tough math challenges later on in middle school, find University of Chicago researchers. "Math anxiety distracts students from learning and performing their best," explains Sian Beilock, Ph.D., the study's co-author.

# data[].attributes.body
A good strategies to share for applying facts and promoting flexible math thinking.  Also helps adults see that this way of thinking doesn't come automatic for kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Number bonds are very helpful when your child is trying to memorize math facts (a set of related addition and subtraction or multiplication and division number equations). As your child learns math in kindergarten through 2nd grade, number bonds help him or her see the relationship between three numbers that make up a simple equation. For instance, the number bond below shows the whole number five with the parts that make it up: three and two.

The number bonds concept may be very basic, but it's an extremely useful tool to help your child understand the relationship between addition and subtraction, and provide him with a strong foundation for understanding how numbers work.

The number bond visual helps your child see the four math facts that relate to those three numbers:
2+3=5
3+2=5
5-3=2
5-2=3

There are lots of creative ways that you can show your child number bonds: You can use pipe cleaners to form three circles, and then place different numbers of small items (like buttons, beads, or dried pasta) in the center of two of those circles. Have your child practice figuring out what the missing number could be. Or, draw on two paper plates, and leave the third one blank.

Use this printable to help your child practice using number bonds:

Do you have any everyday activities to help your child explore number bonds? Share your favorite ideas on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Can Number Bonds Help Your Child With Math?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Number bonds are very helpful when your child is trying to memorize math facts (a set of related addition and subtraction or multiplication and division number equations). As your child learns math in kindergarten through 2nd grade, number bonds help him or her see the relationship between three numbers that make up a simple equation.

# data[].attributes.body
Helpful blog post breaking down number sense...helps me think about how to share info with parents.  Plus, provides practical ideas for doing home versions of number talks.  👏

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is number sense? As a teacher, I've been asked this question over and over again by many parents. To answer, I talk about the importance of it and why your children need to build strong number sense, but many parents don't feel comfortable with the topic. It's not a term they're familiar with or one used when they learned math. Plain and simple, number sense is a person's ability to understand, relate, and connect numbers.

Children with strong number sense think flexibly and fluently about numbers. They can:

Visualize and talk comfortably about numbers. Number bonds are one tool to help them see the connections between numbers.

Take numbers apart and put them back together in different ways - e.g. breaking the number five down several times (such as: 5+0=5; 4+1=5; 3+2=5; 2+3=5; 1+4=5; 0+5=5 and so on), which helps your children learn all the ways to make five.

Compute mentally - solving problems in their heads instead of using a paper and pencil.

Relate numbers to real-life problems by connecting them to their everyday world. For instance, asking how many apples they've picked at a farm. ("Andy picked 5 apples. Amanda picked 2. How many apples did they pick in all?")

Number sense is so important for your young math learners because it promotes confidence and encourages flexible thinking. It allows your children to create a relationship with numbers and be able to talk about math as a language. I tell my young students, numbers are just like letters. Each letter has a sound and when you put them together they make words. Well, every digit has a value and when you put those digits together they make numbers!

Here are some ideas for promoting number sense in a first grader:

Estimating to bring math into your child's everyday world. Estimate the number of steps it takes to get from the car to the house or how many minutes you have to wait in line at the grocery store.

Model numbers in different ways. Seeing numbers in different contexts really helps your children connect with numbers. For example, looking at numbers in a deck of cards or identifying numbers on dice or dominoes without counting the dots.

Visualize ways to see numbers. Every day I ask my students to visualize a number and tell me what they see. Your child will see numbers in different ways. Celebrate all the different ways and encourage her to think outside of the box. An eight can look like a snake or a 10 can be thought of as a baseball and bat.

Think about math with an open mind. Instead of asking what is 6+4, ask, "What are some ways to make 10?" This allows for more flexible thinking and builds confidence with knowing more than one answer. Or, you can also ask "Can you make eight with three different numbers?" or "What is 10 more than 22?"

Solve problems mentally. Instead of relying on memorization, encourage your child to use mental math (calculating problems in his head). So, if you know 6+6=12, then you know 6+7=13. He can use his double fact (6+6) to help find a harder fact (6+7) and build on concepts he already knows to think about problems.

Strong number sense helps build a foundation for mathematical understanding. Focusing on number sense in the younger grades helps build the foundation necessary to compute and solve more complex problems in older grades. Building a love for math in your children begins with building an understanding of numbers.
Featured Photo Credit: © stray_cat /iStockphoto

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Demystifying Math: What Is Number Sense?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is number sense? As a teacher, I've been asked this question over and over again by many parents. To answer, I talk about the importance of it and why your children need to build strong number sense, but many parents don't feel comfortable with the topic.