Teaching numbers in the preschool years is about so much more than memorization. It’s about helping little learners build real connections—understanding what numbers look like, how they’re used, and how to write them with confidence and joy.
At Grace in the Disarray, I believe early learning should feel both playful and purposeful. That’s why I created number tracing pages (available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store) that are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and easy to use, whether you’re in a classroom, homeschooling, or simply supplementing learning at home.
Each printable page focuses on a single number and includes:
- Large number tracing with clear starter dots so children know where to begin.
- A clean, preschool-friendly font that mimics natural handwriting strokes.
- Space to trace, color, and count themed objects that match the number.
- A simple, catchy number rhyme to make each digit stick.
Number Writing Pages and How to Use Them
These pages are intentionally designed with visual simplicity in mind. There is no clutter, no over-stimulation, just calm, focused practice to meet young learners where they are developmentally. Here are four simple ways to bring your number practice to life.
1. Introduce One Number at a Time
Start with the rhyme. Say it aloud together. Then, point out the number in your environment—on a calendar, in a book, or around the room. Trace it with your finger in the air, on a table, or in sensory materials like sand or playdough before using a pencil.
2. Model Tracing First
Use your finger to trace the number, following the starter dot. Then guide your child’s hand with yours before letting them try it independently.
3. Reinforce Formation with Rhymes
As your child traces, repeat the rhyme together. This builds muscle memory and reinforces proper directionality in a gentle, developmentally appropriate way.
4. Pair Writing with Counting
After tracing the number, bring out some small manipulatives—buttons, beads, or blocks—and count them out. This tactile, touch-and-count method helps reinforce the meaning behind each numeral.
Why Number Rhymes Work
Children are wired to learn through rhythm, repetition, and sensory input. These rhymes not only help kids remember how to form each number but also strengthen listening skills and prepare their ears for rhyme awareness, which supports early reading.
Here are the rhymes I use in my number tracing set:
1 — “Number one is straight and quick. Like a tall, thin candlestick.”
2 — “Around and back on the railroad track. Two, two! Two, two!”
3 — “Around the tree, around the tree. That’s the way we make a three.”
4 — “Down and over, down once more. Like a chair’s legs on the floor, it’s a four.”
5 — “Short neck, big hive. A branch on top, there’s your five.”
6 — “A curl and a twist, nice and slow. A snail is a six wherever it goes.”
7 — “Slide to the right, then down real quick. Number seven is a hockey stick.”
8 — “Start at the top, don’t be late. Make a snowman, there’s your eight.”
9 — “Nine’s a loop and then a line. An ice cream cone, so sweet and fine.”
10 — “A straight line down, then make a zero. Ten is written like a hero.”
Read-Alouds That Reinforce Numbers
One of my favorite ways to make numbers come alive is through read-alouds, especially books based on songs. Music and stories make learning stick, and preschoolers thrive on repetition, rhythm, and engagement.
These are some of my favorites to use with number rhymes:
- Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino (song by The Kiboomers)
- Five Green and Speckled Frogs by Priscilla Burris (song by The Kiboomers)
- The Ants Go Marching by Dan Crisp (song by Super Simple Songs)
- Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson (not a song, but a great companion to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom)
When I read or sing these stories, I like to show the pages as I go, just like I do with There Was an Old Lady books when teaching letters. The more visual and auditory exposure, the deeper the learning
Teaching numbers can be fun, intentional, and deeply rewarding. My printable number pages help children build confidence, fine motor control, and early math readiness, one gentle step at a time. Download your number tracing set today, available in my Teachers Pay Teachers: Grace in the Disarray store, and begin teaching with intention and grace.
Childhood should spark joy and every small step is worth celebrating.
For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there. —Isaiah 28:10
Grace in the Disarray 