Every number has a numeral, like 3, and a number name, like three. Today we will read them, match them and write them.
Numerals and number names
Read each line with an adult. Point to the numeral, the name and the dots.
| 0 | zero | (none) |
| 1 | one | ● |
| 2 | two | ●● |
| 3 | three | ●●● |
| 4 | four | ●●●● |
| 5 | five | ●●●●● |
| 6 | six | ●●●●●● |
| 7 | seven | ●●●●●●● |
| 8 | eight | ●●●●●●●● |
| 9 | nine | ●●●●●●●●● |
| 10 | ten | ●●●●●●●●●● |
They all mean the same number
The numeral 4, the name four and 4 dots all show the same number. When you match them, you show you know the number.
Writing numerals
Use your finger first. Trace the numeral in the air, in sand or on the screen below. Start at the top. Then write it with a pencil.
Try it
TRY ITMatch the numbers, then trace them
Look at the picture. Tap the one that matches.
✏️ Trace a numeral
Use your finger. Start at the top. Go over the grey numeral.
Let’s practise
Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.
1. Write the numeral for seven.
Show answer
7
2. Read this numeral: 9
Show answer
Nine.
3. Which one shows five?
(a) ●●●
(b) ●●●●●
(c) ●●●●●●●
Show answer
(b) ●●●●●
4. Put these in order: three, one, two
Show answer
One, two, three.
Quick check
Can you answer these by yourself?
1. What is the number name for 10?
Show answer
Ten.
2. How many dots? ●●●●●●
Show answer
6, six.
3. Which numeral comes after 7?
Show answer
8, eight.
Maths words
Say these words with an adult. Can you use each one in a sentence?
numeral · number name · dots · read · write · trace · order
Try it at home
- Go on a number hunt. Find numerals on clocks, doors, buses and phones.
- Write numerals in sand, flour or with a wet finger on a wall.
- Make number cards: write the numeral on one side and draw dots on the other.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- read the numerals 0 to 10
- match numerals to number names and to dot pictures
- write the numerals, starting at the top
Backwards numerals (like a back to front 3 or 7) are common at this age. Gently show where to start and which way to go, rather than correcting every time.
Previous: How Many? Counting to 10
Next: Five and Some More: Ordering and Estimating
Updates
2026/10/30
– First version of this lesson (draft).
Attributions to media used in this post:
Dominoes tiles.jpg – Vijayanrajapuram – CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.