What could I put in a number area?

[whatcanbemynewname]

I have taken over a pre school and wondered what I could put in a number area? We have very little money as a setting so it would need to be cheap.

A couple of big those big foam dice? Will keep thinking!

A display linked to a number song is always good - I had ten (empty) small plastic green bottles (I think they had spring water in but fruit shoot or similar would be great) labelled 1-10 with the words typed out to Ten Green Bottles.
Or five small toy frogs sitting on a log. Or five elephants and a piece of string.
I also used to have a set of teddies with birthday badges on from 1-10 to put in order. You can give them cakes with the right number of candles (printed out pictures) to match to the right teddies.
Are these the sorts of ideas you are after? I have loads more...

You need loads of different things for counting and sorting - they don't have to be expensive things - a basket of conkers, one of shells, one of counters, one of buttons, one of bottle tops etc etc.
Number books.
A number line where the children can peg up the numbers in the right order - have loads of sets of cards so you can change them regularly (a set with the numerals, one set with the numbers in words, a christmas set (one snowman, two baubles etc) a autumn set with the right number of leaves on each card etc etc)

You could think of it more broadly as a maths area.

-Different shapes to sort etc.
-Balance weighing scales with cubes or blocks to use as a form of measurement.

• 3d numbers to handle to get used to shape of each digit.
• Clocks to fiddle with and get used to shape and movements.
• Money

-Height measure

Does it have to be number or could you make it maths generally? Then you can include shapes, stacking cups (to fit in to each other) have water play with different sized jugs. Heavy and light, a balance scale. Number books. Things to count with and little pots or baskets to put in and take out as they count iyswim? There's all sorts of maths games you could buy, maybe search eBay? And a calendar to change the day/date with them. And a big clock? Some ideas maybe a bit old (i don't expect preschoolers to tell the time!) But it's good to get them used to the language and concept.
Hth!

X posts smurf!

Oops hit post before i was finished!

I know this might not be what you are looking for, but from a early years primary point of view, getting children ready for all areas of maths, not just number would be soooo useful!

Just my opinion though!

Look in education area of a big bookshop -there are a couple of books at least with titles like Maths on display and art and Maths with plenty of ideas.
Libraries and bookshops also sell posters at 4 for £5.
Use stories like the 3 bears as a starting point----big bowl,medium bowl,small bowl etc

Counting, numbers and sorting
? Real objects and materials e.g. shells, conkers, pebbles, leaves, fir cones, feathers, pasta shapes
? Different sized, coloured and shaped objects
? Sorting trays
? Pegs
? Numbers made out of different materials e.g. plastic, foam, sand paper, wood
? Buttons and beads
? Cotton reels
? Cars and other small toys
? Keys
? Calculators
? Abacus
? Pegged number line
? Telephones
? Calendars and diaries
? Computers, keyboards, tape recorder, programmable toys
? Telephone directory
? Counting and number books and puzzles
? Catalogues
? Recipe books and menus
Shapes and patterns
? Shapes made from different materials
? Pegboards
? Tap a shape games
? Beads of different shapes, sizes and colours
? Magnetic shapes
? Linking games e.g. multi-link, unifix
? Construction sets
? Playdough, clay, Plasticine & cutters
? Collage/junk modelling materials
Measuring and weighing
? Sand/water timers
? Rulers
? Tape measures
? Sets of hand and foot prints
? Balances and scales
? Real objects and natural materials
? Graded containers
? Stop clocks
? Thermometers
? Sand and water
Time
? Calendars
? Diaries
? Stop clocks
? Timers
? Clocks
? Time line
Money and shopping
? Real coins
? Tills
? Purses
? Baskets and bags
? Real items for use in a shop
? Bills, order forms and receipts
? Notepads and pens
? Clip boards
? Calculators
? Catalogues
? Scales
? Menus
Games
? Track games
? Dice games
? Matching, sorting, colour, shape and size games
? Shape, number, colour and texture dominoes
? Card games and lottos
? Puzzles
? Large and small pieces
? Sequencing puzzles
? Inset puzzles
? Shape puzzles

.

A lovely number book

One is a snail and ten is a crab

Thanks for the lists I had drawn a blank and simply could not think of anything all.

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