Play Triple Match!

There's more than one way to write a "1." It could be a single picture, the number "1," the Roman numeral "I," or even the word "one!" Being able to recognize numbers in all their forms is fundamental to future math success. Here's an activity to help your child see numbers in three ways so he can learn that numbers can be written in different forms. Not only will your child get valuable practice writing and recognizing number names, but he'll also get to refine his small motor skills with this game!

What You Need:

• 30 index cards, white
• Newspaper
• Shirt or smock
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Nontoxic paint
• Hand wipes

What You Do:

1. Spread out the newspaper to create your painting area. Make sure your child is wearing an old t-shirt or smock because this activity has the potential to get a little messy.
2. Set out the blank index cards. White index cards are best; colored cards can be distracting.
3. Make number cards: ask your child to take 10 index cards and, with the cards positioned vertically, help him write one number per card using the numbers from 1–10. You can use different colored markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
4. Then make number word cards: Ask your child to take another 10 blank, index cards and help him write out the number words (“one,” “two,” “three,” and so on), one per card from 1–10. Help your child to match the color of the number words with their respective number card from the first stack of index cards (i.e. "one" and "1" are both written in red).
5. Now it's time to make counting cards: have your child take the last 10 index cards, dip a thumb or finger into the paint, and make the correct number of dots on the card to match each number from 1-10. Again make sure to match the colors on these cards with the colors from previous stacks. Let these dry overnight.
6. When the cards are ready, it's time to play "Triple Match!"
7. Lay all the cards face down and try to find matches three ways: "one," "1," and one painted dot, for instance.

This matching game is a great on-the-go game for a long drive or when you and you're child are stuck in a waiting room. You can also turn this matching game into a game of Concentration and let more kids in on the fun. The more the merrier!