Walk a Human Number Line

Numbers and the numerals that signify them are a difficult idea for youngsters to comprehend. Rather than just counting fingers with your child, try using this human number line as an enjoyable, life-sized teaching aid. Your child will be physically walking along the number line and connecting the mental bridge between a specic numeral and the number of steps he has taken. With this activity, you can easily build on the numbers your child has learned well and introduce new numbers to him at his own pace.

What You Need:

• Clothesline rope
• Construction paper
• Marker
• Hole punch

What to Do:

1. Write the word "Start" and the numerals 1, 2, and 3 on sheets of construction paper and laminate them if possible.
2. Punch two holes in each sheet of paper and thread the clothesline through it. (Be sure to leave room on the rope to add numerals. You can add 0 and 4-10 later.
3. Place the rope on the floor and ask your child to stand on start (this will be replaced with zero later).
4. Invite your child to take one, two, or three steps along the number line and make sure he is standing on the corresponding number. Play this game several times with all three numbers until your child seems to have a strong understanding of these numbers.

When you feel he is confident and ready to move on, begin by adding 4 and 5. Then add zero. Continue adding numbers at a pace that is comfortable to him.