Numbers are part of a child's world. They are heard in -

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STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUMBER CONCEPTS

Children gradually acquire the ability to put numbers in the right order and to use them to count, to compare and to measure. Various stages can be recognised in this development, which usually occur more or less in the order listed here:

1. Repeating numbers  -- Many children are able to repeat numbers at 2 or 3 years, but the words mean very little and they are often said in the wrong order.
2. Matching number words to objects
3. The correct order of numbers  -- The child learns that numbers have a definite order, for example, 1 is followed by 2, and then by 3.

4. Learning the meaning of 'first', 'second', 'third', . . . 'last' These are called 'ordinal' numbers.

Stage 4 -- "First Stair, Second Stair ...... " 

5.  Comparing numbers -- The child comes to understand the meaning of 'more than' and 'less than' as applied to numbers. For example, understanding that with 5 toys here and 3 much larger toys over there, 5 is still more than 3, and 3 is less than 5.

Stage 5

6. Understanding that the number of things is constant regardless of size or position.  For example, 9 things are still 9 regardless of how they are placed. Before this important concept has been reached (usually between 4 and 7 years), a child may agree that there are 9 cubes on the table (A), but if these cubes are spread out (B), without re-counting he may say there are now more than 9, and if they are heaped up (C), he may say there are less than 9. This concept cannot be taught, but comes from many experiences.

Stage 6

7. Learning to recognise and write numbers -- Children learn the figures (symbols) that are used for numbers, and how to write them.

Stage 7

8. Manipulating numbers (doing sums) -- Once it is understood that a certain number of things is always the same number (stage 6 above) the child is then ready to ...

Stage 8 ... add numbers together  .... take them away