Teach children how to skip count by twos up to 10. Clarify to the students that you name all of the even numbers when you count by twos.
Give each student about 10 manipulatives such as counting blocks or candies. Make sure each student has an even number of items to begin with.
Tell the kids to put all of their manipulatives into groups of two. If each child has ten candies, they would make five groups with two candies in each group. Explain that each piece of candy needs a buddy.
Use skip counting by twos to count all of the candies. Explain that when each piece of candy has a buddy, the total number of candies is even. Practice this skill with all even numbers up to 10.
Provide each student with an odd number of manipulatives and have them "buddy up" each piece of candy again. Emphasize that there is one candy without a buddy. Have them count all of the candies and explain that the total number is odd because one is left over. Practice finding odd numbers through nine.
Teach kindergarteners a chant to remember odd and even numbers. "Two, four, six, eight, 10 -- Even numbers! Let's say it again! One, three, five, seven, nine -- Odd numbers! Oh my!"