I have a couple of little ones who are really good at math, but not so good at penmanship. Although they know the correct answer to an arithmetic problem, they often write it backwards.
So I designed this numeral writing printable to give them some extra practice.
[Click on image for printable PDF version]
If number reversals are a problem at your house, try printing out several copies to use with your young students. You can require them to do the whole page, or just the numerals that give them the most trouble.
And if they need a little extra practice (on either numbers or letters), try one or more of the following activities:
- Spread a little shaving cream on the kitchen table, and have them use their finger to draw the numerals in the lather. If they make a mistake, they can easily smooth it away and try again
- Have them to form all ten digits out of play dough or modeling clay. If they get one backwards, it’s a simple matter of flipping it over to make it right.
- Practice writing numbers with sidewalk chalk on the porch or driveway.
- Give your child a paintbrush and a cup of water, and have him “paint” his numbers on the sidewalk.
- Spread some uncooked rice in the bottom of a cooking tray and let your child practice drawing the numbers in that.
- Save on paper! Laminate our number writing practice sheet, then use a dry erase marker to complete it.
Be patient. Correct their mistakes gently and lovingly. Give them lots of opportunities to practice.
If you know of any other helpful tricks to teach the proper orientation of digits 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 9, be sure to share them below. My kids are always happy to try something new.
More Basic Skills Practice
Does your student need a little more practice with basic skills? Then check out the following printables, too:
- Letter Printing Practice Sheets – if your child needs help correcting letter reversals, you’ll find our best tips for dealing with that problem here
- Winter-Themed Activity Pages – this set of free printables includes practice in matching, sequencing, and set building. Great way to build critical thinking skills in your liitle ones!
- Age-Appropriate Chores for Children – Don’t forget to teach your little ones life skills. This list breaks down common chores by age-readiness for guided practice!
First off, thank you!
I was simply looking for a good traceable number worksheet (with all of the numbers) and after finding two “free” ones that weren’t free if you actually wanted to print them (!), I found your worksheet. Because of that, I found your blog. Within 10 seconds I’d bookmarked it. 12 kids! Wow! But what’s so incredible is your willingness to share what you’ve learned, things you’ve created, and basically your life with the world without expecting something in return. That’s amazing.
Oh, and definitely listing loving Jesus FIRST speaks volumes…. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you and tell you how much I appreciate your blog!
What a delight it was to find your sweet message in my inbox this morning, Jeanni. Thank you for those thoughtful words of encouragement.
Thank you, i was feeling as if my child is the only one. This is very helpful and encouraging because i feel at least there is some assistance i can offer. God bless you.
You’re so welcome. Very rarely are the struggles we experience with our children unique to only us. It was always encouraging to me, too, to see families whose children were older successfully come through problems we were presently experiencing, because it gave me hope that our struggles were “overcome-able.” 🙂
Thank you very much for sharing!
You’re welcome, Elena!
Thank you SO much for making this available for free! This is exactly what I have been looking for!
The number tracing is wonderful!! I teach PreK and I have had a hard time finding a tracing page that has the correct formation that I teach! Lovely! Thanks!
So glad to be of service, Melissa. Hope your PreK students enjoy it. 🙂
Downloaded with thanks! 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
I’m printing this out from a Children’s Home in the Philippines! Thanks for sharing. and 12 kids! You guys are amazing!
So glad you could use it. We serve an amazing God!
thx for the pdf
very helpful
You’re very welcome, Tahira. So glad you can use it!
Thank you this is awesome and very helpful!
That was quick, thank you very much 🙂
How do I print this out 🙂 Thanks.
Oops! I forgot to attach the PDF file. So sorry! You can now click on either the image or the text link, then save and print the PDF from your computer. Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate your letting me know about the oversight. Blessings!