Building Number Sense in Preschoolers can be Wildly Fun!

Understanding Number Sense in Early Childhood

Number Sense in Preschoolers is more than just recognizing numbers — it’s the foundation for all future math success. In early childhood, building number sense helps children understand what numbers mean, how they work, and how they relate to the world around them.

In my preschool classroom, I want my students to leave confident with numbers 1–20. That means they can recognize, count, compare, and even explain their thinking. Developing these skills takes time, repetition, and (most importantly) engaging activities that spark curiosity and joy.

Importance of Building Math Confidence in Preschoolers

Preschool is the perfect time to begin building a positive relationship with math. When young children feel successful with early number skills, they carry that confidence into kindergarten and beyond.

I’ve learned over the years that math confidence starts with how we teach. If lessons are playful, hands-on, and meaningful, children are far more likely to engage and remember what they’ve learned. That’s why I always look for fun, effective ways to explore numbers.

Engaging Activities to Enhance Number Sense in Preschoolers

One of my favorite ways to teach numbers is through a zoo-themed unit I created called Roar & Explore Number Zoo. It breaks numbers 1–20 into four colorful zoo areas, each with animal characters that stay consistent throughout the lessons.

Here’s how I use it:

After winter break, we shift our focus to numbers (I teach the alphabet first, finishing by Christmas).
Each week, we explore 5 numbers at a time through activities like tracing, sorting, patterning, graphing, and comparing sizes.
Every number has its own animal and skill focus — for example, Number 4 is the giraffe, and we complete a color-by-number giraffe activity.
The children also earn zookeeper badges, sing a daily chant, and finish with a zoo celebration day (complete with animal snacks, stuffed animals, and a write-the-room activity).

This resource gives my students the opportunity to truly understand numbers 1–20 through movement, creativity, and exploration.

Resources and Tools for Early Math Education

Whether you’re a new teacher or looking to refresh your number routine, having the right tools to build number sense in preschoolers makes a big difference. Here are a few of my favorite elements from the Roar & Explore unit that can help any classroom:

✅ Animal-themed number visuals to build number–animal connections
✅ Daily zookeeper chant for repetition and engagement
✅ Hands-on activities for each number (patterns, puzzles, number lines, ten frames, and more)
✅ Teacher resources like reusable pattern cards and number lines for whole-group modeling
✅ A built-in review and celebration that makes the learning feel special and complete

This unit is versatile — use it every day for a focused month of math or stretch it out and do one “zoo day” per week. It’s designed to meet you where you are.

Tips for Parents to Support Math Learning at Home

Parents often ask how they can support number learning outside of school. Here are some simple, meaningful ways to encourage math confidence at home:

Count fingers, toys, or snacks during everyday routines
Let your child help with simple sorting (groceries, socks, blocks)
Practice number recognition with number cards or puzzles
Play games involving dice, counting, or matching
Talk about patterns you see — on clothing, nature, or at home

Most importantly, make math positive and playful. Show your child that numbers are part of daily life and something to enjoy, not fear.

Conclusion: Nurturing a Lifelong Love for Math

Helping preschoolers build number sense doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it can be joyful, creative, and full of discovery. When we introduce math through meaningful experiences, we build not just skills, but confidence that lasts.

If you’re a new teacher or simply looking to make your math time more engaging, I hope this peek into my zoo-themed unit has inspired you. Whether you use it all at once or a little at a time, the goal is the same: to unlock math confidence and give your students a strong start.