Giving a requested number · Ages 3–4
Give me three
Does your child hand you the whole handful when you ask for three? At this age, “three” can sound like “several.” This free printable suggests questions instead of corrections, and a game with stuffed animals, plates and bowls of strawberries to cross out, to count as you set things down and stop at the right number. An adult stays close by the whole time.
Download the printable (PDF, 2 pages)US Letter size. Print single-sided, at 100% (actual size). Black and white is fine.
Page 1, for you
- Why a child may hand over the whole handful when asked for three.
- The key idea, in two small diagrams: count as you set them down, then stop (“one, two, three… stop!”); the last number you say also tells how many you gave.
- Three questions to ask instead of correcting.
- Safety: an adult stays close by, big blocks, stuffed animals in good condition, unbreakable plates, and care with the crayon and the scissors.
- How to do page 2 together, one row at a time.
- Notes to read after the try, and a cut-out slip to play again a few days later.
Page 2, for your child
- A page with no text: pictures to cross out or complete, no reading needed.
- At the top, Zoe with her full bowl of strawberries, the bunny holding out his plate, and Ombi.
- Three rows of stuffed animals and bowls of strawberries: you say the request, your child crosses out one strawberry in the bowl for each one they give, saying the numbers, and then stops.
- A fourth row, harder, to do together at first: the elephant already has a strawberry; your child draws a circle on an empty spot for each strawberry added.
Our videos for parents
This printable goes with the “Give me three” episode of “Understand the concept,” our video series for parents. Find our videos on Ludip’s YouTube channel.
Visit Ludip’s YouTube channelLudip: Math & Science Stories
Ludip is a collection of math and science comic series for kids. Every episode tells a story around one concept to understand, then activities invite your child to explore it through play. Ludip is coming to iPhone, iPad and Android.
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