There are three main
types of numbers:
- cardinal (counting items in a set, e.g. “two” = 2 blocks)
- nominal (labels, e.g. “two” as a bus or house number)
- ordinal (showing rank or position, e.g. “second” in the race, “page number two”)
As you can see from the examples above, something as simple as the number "two" can, in fact, be rather complicated and therefore confusing for early learners. Exploring all three types of numbers enables young children to construct a solid understanding of numbers and therefore lays excellent foundations for later experiences in math (see Jean
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development for fascinating research as to how
children learn).
Unfortunately, there
is a tendency for some early years teachers and parents to focus on the
cardinal aspect of numbers. As
such, many children later experience difficulties with concepts such as mental
math and positive and negative numbers.
As such, I thought I’d
share some of my ideas for exploring nominal and ordinal numbers.
Nominal Numbers
Have a Circle Time
session about what children should do if they get lost. Make a telephone craft that involves each child
writing or cutting and pasting their own telephone numbers. If children are too young to memorise
their telephone numbers, have them make telephone number bead bracelets.
Discuss
addresses. If you are lucky enough
to have an interactive whiteboard in your class you can have lots of fun with
Google Maps! Have your students
draw a picture/write a letter to their favourite Disney character. If they include their home address
they will get an autographed reply!
Ordinal Numbers
Expose your children to fun and varied number lines - vertical ladders, circular lines (for example on kitchen scales or clocks) and play hopscotch. Don’t exclusively use the same standard left to right number line.
Reinforce page number
sequence during reading sessions.
“Who can find the page with…?”, “What page number is next?”, “What is
the previous page number?”.
Discuss the date every
day. “What date is today?” . “What
date will tomorrow be?”, “What date was yesterday?”
Your ideas?
I'd love to hear about what you do in your classes to explore nominal and ordinal numbers. Please use the comments section below to share your ideas.
Thank you for reading!
Lisa