Developing Number Sense

and Early Number Concepts

EDN 322
 Number Sense

A good intuition about numbers and their

relationships. It develops gradually as a
result of exploring numbers, visualizing
them in a variety of contexts, and relating
them in ways that are not limited by
traditional algorithms (Howden, 1989).
Number and Operations Standard
Grades Pre-K-12
Understand numbers, ways of representing
numbers, relationships among numbers, and
number systems
Understand meanings of operations and how
they relate to one another
Compute fluently and make reasonable
estimates

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
2000
Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers,
relationships among numbers, and number systems

Count with understanding and recognize how

many in sets of objects
Develop understanding of the relative position
and magnitude of whole numbers and of
ordinal and cardinal numbers and their
connections.
Connect number words and numerals to the
quantities they represent, using various
physical models and representations
The meanings for the number five
suggested by young children
 Prenumber Concepts

Patterning

Sorting

Classifying
 Counting Principles

One-to-one correspondence

Stable order rule

Order irrelevance rule

Cardinality rule
 Counting Stages
Rote Counting
 Counting Stages
Rational Counting
 Counting Strategies

Counting On

Counting Back

Skip Counting
 Relationships Among Numbers

Spatial Relationships

One and Two More, One and Two Less

Number Benchmarks

Part-part-whole Relationships
 Writing Numerals

Start with very clear, very strong models.

Focus on one number at a time.
Provide maximum guidance at first.
Be accepting of initial efforts.
Gently reduce the amount of guidance.
Reward correct performance.
Review previously-learned material at regular
intervals.