Look at numbers in print with your child, such as those on a number chart. Point to each number, beginning with 0, say the number, and then have your child repeat the number name. Do this to help him learn to identify the number by sight so that he will understand what number is being written. Practice this daily.
Give pencils and blank white paper to your child as she sits at a table or desk. Point to a number on the number chart and ask your child to tell you what number it is. Ask your child if she can write the number on the paper. Practice this activity when your child is first learning to write her numbers, knowing size does not matter, and the shape will not be perfect. Guide child if need be using your own hand to help as she holds the pencil. Encourage her to write on her own.
Draw shapes or symbols on a blank sheet of paper. Help your child count how many shapes and symbols there are and find that number on the number chart. Show your child the number, visually, then ask the child to write the number of shapes or symbols on the paper. Do this using 10 sheets of paper, one sheet for each of the numbers 0 through 9, to create a counting book.
Switch to lined paper (wide lines appropriate for children) once your child has begun to get the hang of writing his numbers. Write the numbers 0 through 10 down the left-hand side of the paper, skipping one line between each number. Fill in the line that has a 0 on it with dotted traceable zeros by making tiny slashes or dots in the shape of the number, then do this for 1 through 9. Ask your child to trace the numbers.
Write each number at the beginning of each line, boldly, down the paper, on the left hand side. Do not fill in the lines with dotted traceable numbers this time, though; instead, ask your child to fill in the rest of the line by writing the number on her own several times according to how it is written in the example. Practice this activity for at least two weeks as learning to keep writing within the lines can be challenging when first learning the skill of writing.