When your kids know the numbers 1 through 10, you can start teaching them about the numbers 11 to 20. Understanding these numbers is more than simple counting and recognition; it requires an understanding of the concept of tens and the operation of larger numbers. Such teaching concepts can be difficult to teach. For some teaching ideas, see Step 1.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Introducing the Numbers 11 to 20
Step 1. Teach one number at a time
Starting at 11, teach children one number at a time. Write the number on the board, including the visualization: if you teach the number 11, draw 11 flowers, 11 cars or 11 happy faces.
It can also help introduce the concept of tens in this case, including the concept of tens with the right number of digits. For a more advanced tens concept, see Section 2
Step 2. Teach the child to count numbers up to 20
Children can usually easily count up to 20 by rote memorization. Divide the number into two numbers for easy memorization – first count to 12, then 14, and so on.
However, keep in mind that teaching children to count to 20 is not the same as teaching children to understand the value of the number. The teaching of counting must be accompanied by other lessons that aim to awaken the understanding of the concept of numbers
Step 3. Train them to write the numbers
When children understand the numbers individually and can count up to 20 well and correctly, train them to write the numbers. For best results, teach them how to pronounce the numbers as they write them.
Step 4. Draw a number line
Showing children a number line containing the numbers 0 through 20 can help them visualize a series of numbers.
Step 5. Apply objects
Some children can better understand the teaching of numbers through the application of certain objects that they can touch. Invite the children to count sticks, pencils, cubes, marbles or other small items. Tell them that they can count the objects one by one, the total number of items being counted is the same as the last number mentioned by them.
Step 6. Apply to physical activity
Invite the children to count their steps (going up and down stairs is a good way, but if just walking from room to room is fine too), or get them to jump 20 times, count the jumps they made.
Jump games can also be done to teach this counting concept. Draw 10 squares on the ground, and write down the numbers from 1 to 10. When they jump forward, tell them to count the numbers from 1 to 10 and count from 11 to 20 when they jump backwards
Step 7. Reinforce the concept of numbers as often as possible
Count to 20 every chance you get and demonstrate awareness of numbers. The more children practice, the better the results.
Part 2 of 3: Teaching the Concept of Tens and Units
Step 1. Explain the basic concepts of tens and ones
Tell the children that the numbers 11 through 19 are made up of one tens and one number as an additional unit. The number 20 is made up of only the tens.
Help the children to visualize the concept by writing the number 11, which represents the tens and 1 units and then separate the two units with a circle
Step 2. Introduce the tens concept framework
One tens has 10 blank fields that can be filled in as you count. You can use a coin or other small object to demonstrate this concept, and you can also draw it on the board.
For a fun activity, give each child two empty tens fields and 20 similar objects. Invite them to make the number 11: fill one tens field and fill the second tens field with only one object. Invite them to make other numbers. You can also do the opposite, which is to start filling in one of the tens field completely and then discarding the objects one by one
Step 3. Try to use lines and dots
Show the children that you can represent the numbers with lines and dots: lines to show tens and dots to show units. Do the example for the number 15, namely with one line and five dots.
Step 4. Draw a T table
Draw a T table on large enough paper. The left column shows tens; and the right column shows the units. List the numbers 1 through 10 in the right column, in order; leave the left column blank. Then:
- Draw a picture to represent the number, such as a small cube, for the left column: a small cube picture to represent the number 1, two small cube pictures to represent the number 2, and so on.
- Explain that you can represent the number with either ten small cubes or one larger bar.
- Fill in the columns with bars one at a time, and explain how the numbers can operate for larger counts.
Part 3 of 3: Strengthening Your Understanding of Numbers 11 to 20 with Fun Activities
Step 1. Play a memory game with cards containing numbers
Use a number of cards containing the numbers 1 to 20 to play a picture matching game. Children need to match the pictures.
Step 2. Fill the container with small objects
Invite the children to fill the container with small items: 11 buttons, 12 grains of rice, 13 coins, and so on. Invite them to count the items and write the number of items on the container correctly.
Step 3. Read a picture book
There are lots of picture books that deal with teaching the numbers 1 to 20. Read them together.
Step 4. Sing a song
Counting the number of songs can also strengthen children's understanding of the number series with fun activities.
Step 5. Play the game Who Owns? Give the children a number of cards containing the numbers 11 to 20. Ask a question – “who has the number 15?” – and wait for the child's reaction to raise the right card.
You can make the game more challenging by asking a more difficult question – “who has 2 more points than 13?” – or by having the children divide the number into tens and ones units when they pick it up
Step 6. Let the children correct your math errors
Count from 1 to 20, make mistakes randomly; let the children correct the mistakes you made. You can also do this with numbers or cards.
Step 7. Invite the children to use their hands
Choose two children. Invite one child to act as “ten” – he or she must raise both hands to show 10 fingers. The second child acts as a “unit” – he must raise the number of fingers up according to the number of digits presented.
Step 8. Draw a picture of the numbers around the class
Draw a picture for each number from 11 to 20. For example, for the number 11, label a table with the words “eleven,” the number “11,” and a picture of 11 objects. Then, you can create pictures of the other 11 objects. Do this activity for each number, and invite the children to identify each picture.
Tips
- Have fun teaching: children will learn better through fun activities than through regular lectures.
- Remember that every child has a different learning style: some children will learn best through visualizing images, others may require direct contact with certain objects. Always do diverse teaching that includes diverse learning styles.
