Multisensory Primary Math

For some children, especially those with limited preschool experiences, simple shape and number recognition from zero to ten is a problem.  Because of this, I developed the Jumpin’ Numbers and Shakin’ Shapes songs and flashcards.  The flashcards each have a character embedded into each number or shape.  This character jogs the child’s memory to help him remember a motion and the name of the number or shape.

Jumpin' Numbers and Shakin' Shapes - Volume 1
Numbers 1-10, Shapes and Counting!
Words covered are:
zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 1-100, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, rhombus, octagon.

For example, there is a monkey on the number eight card.  When the children see it, they are coached to say, “Eight!” while making a monkey motion.  Often, if they cannot immediately remember the name of the numeral, when they make the motion the memory is jogged and the number often pops right out of their mouths, much to their surprise!

The movement of the hands work to activate the muscle memory that some children need to help them remember the name of that number or shape.  As an added bonus, many of the motions mimic the form of the number or shape.  For example, the motion for number eight with the hands overhead and the knees bent forms the shape of the eight.  The motion for number four is to hop with two hands up on your head like bunny ears; this is meant to look like the two top lines on a number four.

Jumpin' Numbers 11 thru 30 - Vol. 2
Identify and Write Numbers 11 thru 30!
Words covered are:
eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty.

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The learning that takes place here is as easy and natural for a child as learning  a nursery rhyme such as “The Eency Weency Spider.”  As soon as a child’s hands start making motion of the spider going up the spout, they begin to sing that little song, rarely forgetting a single word.  I would be very surprised if most adults reading this cannot remember this little children’s song as well!  This is because the movement combined with the music put that little song right into long term memory; it will probably be in most adults memories forever!

What I have done with the these specially designed number and shape cards is give each one a motion and a song that also incorporates those motions.  For example, the Number Twenty song goes like this: (sung to the tune of “The Snake Charmer”)

Number 20 goes, First a two and then zero!
Number 20 goes, First a two and then zero!
Better watch out for the 20, Or he’ll bite your little bunty!

I always try to hold the flashcard in my hand while my class sings the number songs.  We also drill the children on the flashcards.  After a couple of weeks, we simply change to plain old number and shape flashcards and drill the children in the same way; by having them respond verbally and physically with the associated motion, even though the character is not there.  Usually, in about two or three weeks, my whole class knows the numbers and shapes out of order on plain old flashcards.

Full size color and black and white flashcards for you to print and make into songbooks, to use as a visual aide for the songs. When used with the hand motions turn this into a kinesthetic/visual system of teaching numerals and shapes quickly, similar to Zoo-Phonics.

Jumpin' Numbers Flashcards and Songbook Now Available for Instant Downloading!

Also available on the HeidiSongs Teaching Resource CD