Early Math Counts

• 20 cards: Half the cards with numbers 1-10 and the other half with the corresponding pictorial representation (e.g., one card with the number 4 and the corresponding card with a picture of four objects). You can use colored notecards, but be careful that the children can’t see the numbers or pictures through the card.

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

1. Review numbers 1-10 and their corresponding pictorial representations. Ask: “Using dots, what would the number six look like?”
2. Explain that today the children are going to play a game that matches numbers and their equivalent pictures. Not only do they have to make a match, they need to remember where the cards are located. The game is called “Memory.”

1. Model the game for the children. Lay out all of the cards in a four-by-five array, face down.
2. Turn over one card and examine it. Let’s say you turn over a card that has the number 7. Ask the children what card you would need to turn over for a match. “A picture of seven objects.” Turn over another card. If it is a card that has the pictorial representation of 7, put both cards off to the side. Reinforce that both cards are a match and, therefore, they are a pair and can be taken out.
3. If the second card you turn over is not the pictorial representation, explain to the children that, since the card does not match the 7 card, they need to put both cards back in their original spots. Remind the children that the name of game is “Memory” and they should remember what was on each card and where it is.
4. Emphasize that they should also watch and remember the cards turned over during the other player’s turn. The game is over when all of the cards have been matched.

Additional Extensions

• Change the deck of cards to include numerals and the number words. Instead of having cards with the pictorial representation, switch those for the written word of the number (e.g., one card with the number 4 on it and the matching card has the word “four” on it).

• Same: Identical in kind or quantity (e.g.,”Can you find the same card to make a match?”)
• Different: Not similar in size, shape, color or other characteristic (e.g.,”That card is different from the card you turned over.”)
• Match: To equal; to be equal to

Early Math Glossary

Adapt Lesson for Toddlers

Toddlers may:

• Have difficulty understanding and recognizing “how many” in sets of objects
• Have difficulty connecting number words and numerals to the quantities that they represent

Child care providers may:

• Have the children play the game with like cards and less cards. Using just 10 cards—two cards with the same number—have the children play the game just matching the same numbers (e.g., a 4 card matches a 4 card). You can do the same with pictorial representation (e.g., a picture of four circles matches another card with the picture of four circles).

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:

• Be easily able to connect number words and numerals to the quantities they represent

Child care providers may:

• Change the deck of cards to include numbers and the written number. Instead of having cards with the pictorial representation, switch those for the written word of the number (e.g., one card with the number 4 on it and the matching card with the word “four” on it).