Learning Age: 3 to 4 Years

Learning Track: Towards Numeracy

Using A 100 Grid Poster

M ost parents are aware you should read to your child to help them become good readers

You child is ready for another very useful prop, a number grid poster. These posters are often available from libraries.

This poster is a great for number recognition and discovering 'Number Bonds' (link).

The numbers are displayed in such a way that your child will notice 'patterns' in the numbers.

Place this on a wall near the child’s bed or ideally in a poster cover which make it easy to move and use.

There are several ways you can use this poster ! These activities are great as a daily bedtime activity done as a 'treat' before sleep.

The first way follows on from 'Count to the Ceiling'. You count and as you count point to the same number on the poster. When your child is ready get them to count with you and let them have a go at pointing to the number. Eventually when your child is ready, they will be able to count to 100 pointing to the numbers as they go themselves.

Your child will need help remembering what comes after 19, 29, 39, etc. If your child gets stuck, simply say the correct number so they can continue. Daily practice is once again is the key to success.

To practice number recognition think of a random number up to 100 and ask your child to find it and point to it. If you child needs help, give some hints. You can also make it more of a game by saying 'hot' or 'cold' depending on how close they are.

To keep up her child's interest, let your child take the role of being 'teacher' and let your child 'teach' you using the poster !

You can also use a 'teaching stick' to point at the numbers on the poster. To keep up your child's interest let them be the 'teacher', and let your child have use of the 'teaching stick' to point.