Written and printed numbers, when they appear as figures, are called numerals. There are four main kinds of written and printed numerals young children will meet. These are those that:
How children learn
Children meet numerals at home on birthday cards, microwave ovens, television, and so on. In early years settings they meet even more.
It is important for them to see numbers, hear numbers spoken, say the words themselves ('I live at Number Four' or 'I'm four') and write numbers.
Before writing the 'proper' numerals, children often draw pictures or make marks to represent an amount: three lines to represent '3', for example.
Practitioners should encourage this mark-making, as it is more meaningful to young children than abstract numerals. Only later do children begin to use the everyday symbols we all use.
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