Cut numbers from materials with texture, such as a towel, sandpaper, thin plastic, corduroy, wood, metal or aquarium gravel glued to cardboard. Attach the numbers to stiff cardboard. Have the children trace the number with their finger or hand as you tell them the name of the number. When they become familiar with the feel of the numbers, have them close their eyes, feel the number and say its name.
Using a piece of paper for each number, make outline drawings of the numbers 0 through 9. Laminate each page. Provide plasticine, play dough and clay for the children to roll into pieces to fill in the outlines of the numbers. They can also try “painting” the number outlines with a finger dipped in chocolate pudding.
Find several boxes with lids. Make a hole in one side of each box large enough for a child to put her hand through. Put a different number of objects in each box, such as dice, pennies or large buttons. Have a student put her hand inside and count the objects without looking. She will be using her hand and fingers as her “eyes,” forcing her to visualize the number.
Many everyday objects can be used as manipulatives to help children learn to connect “how many” equals a written number. A child can count to 12 by filling an egg carton with hard-boiled eggs, counting in order as each egg is put in the carton. She can count large buttons as a sweater is buttoned. Clothespins can be attached to numbered cards to show the quantity represented by that number. Many commercially made manipulatives are available to help children learn numbers.