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    Home » Learning Activities for Preschoolers

    Published: Nov 6, 2023 by Navi Riar · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cardinality Examples and Activities for Preschoolers

    Counting is often the very first math skill that kids learn. But to answer the simple question, "how many," they need to grasp a more important concept called cardinality first. In this blog post, we'll show you some cardinality examples and explain why it's such a big deal for your child's Math journey. Cardinality helps children not just count things, but understand numbers and how they work together. 

    early math cardinality examples and activities for preschoolers
    Jump to:
    • What is cardinality?
    • Why is Cardinality Important for Preschoolers? 
    • Activities for your preschoolers to learn cardinality
    • Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinality
    • Teach Cardinality through cardinality examples and activities! 

    What is cardinality?

    When a child counts all of the objects in a group and understands the last number recited also represents the size of the group, they are demonstrating understanding of cardinality. Simply put, cardinality is a way of saying how many things are in a group. 

    Here are some easy-to-understand cardinality examples for preschoolers:

    Counting Apples: If you have 3 apples, the cardinality of the group of apples is 3.

    Fingers on Your Hand: Your hand has 5 fingers, so the cardinality of your fingers is 5.

    School Supplies: If you have 2 pens, 3 pencils, and 1 eraser, you can find the cardinality of all your school supplies by adding them up: 2 + 3 + 1 = 6. So, the cardinality of your school supplies set is 6.

    Cardinality is the third of the five counting principles. These principles were introduced by psychologists Dr. Rochel Gelman and Dr. Randy Gallistel to ensure that children learn how to count accurately. The other 4 counting principles are stable order, one-to-one correspondence, abstraction, and order irrelevance. 

    Why is Cardinality Important for Preschoolers? 

    Cardinality helps us know how many things we have and is an important concept in math that we use all the time when counting and working with numbers.

    Our number sense allows us to intuitively understand numbers and how they relate to each other but cardinality gives children a clear and organized way to count and show how many things are in a group. It's the foundation of math, paving the way for more advanced math operations.

    Cardinality also makes addition and subtraction easier to understand. It helps us see that numbers can be taken apart into smaller pieces or put together to make bigger numbers. So, when you know that '6' is more than '4,' it's because '6' stands for more things than '4.'

    Knowing what a number looks like (like '5' or '6') isn't the same as understanding how many things it represents. Cardinality helps us see the real 'size' of a number. So, just recognizing a number in writing doesn't mean you truly understand its cardinality.

    Now, let's dive into some fun cardinality activities to help your child build this math skill!

    Activities for your preschoolers to learn cardinality

    Cardinality Activity 1: Mix and Match

    match the numbers on sticky notes to the number of objects for an early math cardinality activity for preschoolers

    Create three separate groups of objects using small toys, blocks, or coins. Write the number of objects in each group on three separate sticky notes. Have your child match the sticky note to the correct number of objects.

    Cardinality Activity 2: Roll and Build

    roll a dice and build a tower of multilink cubes, a fun cardinality activity for preschoolers

    Roll a dice that has numerals written on it and then have your child build a tower of that many blocks.

    Cardinality Activity 3: Memory Match

    practice the math concept of cardinality with children by matching number cards with the number. of dots

    Cut five index cards in half. One one set of cards write the numbers 1-5, writing one number per card. On the other set of cards, place sticky dots to match the numerals. Shuffle all of the cards and place them face down. Take turns with your child trying to match the numbered card with the correct number of corresponding dots.

    Cardinality Activity 3: Fast Fingers

    put out the number of fingers to match with the number on the card

    Cut five index cards in half and write the numbers 1-10, writing one number per card. Shuffle the cards and place them face down on a pile. Flip over the first card and see who can put up that many fingers the fastest. 

    Cardinality Activity 4: Number Match

    match numbers to the dots on popsicle sticks for a cardinality activity for preschoolers

    Use a marker to draw five dots on a popsicle stick and write the numbers 1-5 on five different clothes pins, writing one number per pin. Call out a number and have your child choose the correct numbered clothespin and place it on the corresponding dot that corresponds to that number.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinality

    What is cardinality in early childhood education?

    In preschools, cardinality refers to a fundamental concept that helps children understand the relationship between numbers and the quantity of objects in a set. It is the ability to grasp that the last number counted represents the total number of objects in a group or set. In simpler terms, cardinality in early childhood education is about teaching young children not just to count objects but to understand that the final number they say when counting tells them how many things there are. 

    How do you teach cardinality in preschools?

    Teaching cardinality in preschools can be done through fun and engaging activities that help children grasp the concept of counting and understanding the quantity of objects in a set. Here are some activities to teach cardinality:

    1. Play counting activities with children using objects like toys, building blocks, or even snacks. Have them count the objects as they pick them up or place them in a row. Emphasize that the last number they say is how many objects are in the group.

    2. Incorporate counting into stories or rhymes. For example, use a story where characters gather objects, count them, and then discuss how many they have. This makes the concept more relatable and fun.

    3. Provide tools and materials like counting beads, counters, or small objects that children can group and count. These hands-on manipulatives make the learning process more interactive.

    What are some cardinality examples for preschoolers?

    These cardinality examples can make understanding cardinality easy, fun and hands-on:

    1. Counting Fingers and Toes: Encourage your child to count their own fingers and toes. They can see that they have 5 fingers on each hand and 5 toes on each foot.

    2. Counting Toys: Line up a row of toys like cars, dolls, or building blocks. Have your child count them one by one to see how many there are in the group.

    3. Counting Fruit: When you have a bowl of apples, oranges, or bananas, ask your child to count how many pieces of fruit are in the bowl.

    4. Counting People: If you have family members or friends over, help your child count how many people are in the room.

    5. Counting Steps: When you climb a flight of stairs, count the steps together. This helps your child see the number of steps it takes to reach the top.

    Teach Cardinality through cardinality examples and activities! 

    In the world of numbers, cardinality serves as the foundation upon which mathematical understanding is built. By nurturing a child's grasp of this concept through cardinality examples and activities, we empower them to go beyond mere number recognition. 

    You are laying the groundwork for a more versatile and profound understanding of numbers, which is essential for success in mathematics. 

    Start exploring these engaging cardinality activities with your child today!

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    About Navi Riar

    Navi Riar is a credentialed Math Educator with sixteen years of classroom experience. She is the founder of Ready Set Learn and runs math coaching programs in local schools. Navi is passionate about making math accessible for all children using a hands-on approach and shares best practices to empower families to help their children with math. You can find her on Instagram at @mathteachermomblog

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    Hi there! I’m Fynn—educator, author, and mom of three. I believe a lifelong love of learning starts at home, and I’m here to help you nurture that spark. Together, let’s create joyful learning experiences that strengthen bonds and inspire curiosity for both you and your little ones!

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