Trace and Count Numbers 1–3

💡 About this activity

🎯 Learning objectives

• Follow the shapes of the numbers 1, 2 and 3 with a finger or crayon.
• Count groups of up to three ducklings, pointing to each one once.
• Identify the number that matches each group, with support if needed.

🧺 What you need

• Printed activity sheet
• Thick, nontoxic crayon

👣 How to do it

1. Place the sheet and crayon on a table.
2. Show the numbers and say their names together.
3. Demonstrate how to follow a number with your finger.
4. Invite the child to follow the numbers with a finger or crayon.
5. Count the first group of ducklings, pointing to each one.
6. Help the child count the other groups and color the matching number for each one.
7. When finished, count the child's favorite group of ducklings together.

🍎 Teaching suggestions

• Give one direction at a time and allow the child time to respond.
• Ask, “Shall we point to each duckling as we count?”
• If tracing is tricky, offer the option of following the lines with a finger first.
• Count large everyday objects, such as cushions or books, too.
• In a group, invite children to take turns pointing to a duckling.

🔀 Variations

💬 Talk about it

• How did you count the ducklings?
• What do you notice about the groups of ducklings?
• Where have you seen these numbers before?
• What might the ducklings do together?

👀 What to look for

• Notice whether the child follows the shape of any number with a finger or crayon.
• Watch whether the child points to each duckling once while counting.
• Notice whether the child identifies the matching number for a group, with or without support.