Teaching math and helping kids understand math can be hard if you’re a homeschooling parent. I always prefer hands-on activities, play-based learning, or games. These methods are better instead of using charts, books, and worksheets. The understanding and use of numbers are important for learning math.

Number identification is the first step in this learning journey, laying the foundation for further understanding. For our kids, learning or identifying numbers doesn’t happen automatically just by being exposed to an environment filled with numbers. We parents have to work and find ways to teach them through play.

One effective way to achieve this is through the use of interactive and engaging games and activities. These can include counting objects in their surroundings, playing number identification games. Some of our favourite games are UNO and Housie.

Last year, we started using Housie for number identification. We haven’t started playing the game with rules as I believe it’s a great tool for matching numbers. My child learns better with matching activities and I find it very engaging for her.

Right now, we are just matching the coins with the numbers on the board. It’s super challenging for her right now and takes almost an hour for her to finish. Sometimes, I give a random numbered coin to my daughter and she finds the matching number on the board.

This can be an engaging way to reinforce number recognition. If your child is well aware of numbers from 1 to 100, then you can play the game by the rules. Alternatively, you can use this game to help them learn skip counting by 2s or 5s.

When she first started playing this game, we used to ask her if she had the matching number or colour, like “Do you have number 6 or the green colour?”

At first, it was confusing for her, but after playing for a while, she was able to find the matching card. If finding the card is difficult, you can always offer help. We noticed that when we gave her some helpful hints, she could understand the game better and have fun without feeling frustrated.

Now, she shows an abundance of confidence when playing this game & her absolute favourite part of the game is confidently calling out “UNO” and laughing hysterically when she’s left with the last card.