Tracing numbers is important for early numeracy skill development. Numbers are usually easier for kids to print than letters, making them a great starting point for beginning writing. This numbers tracing worksheet can help your child practice numbers 1-20.
Printable Numbers Tracing Worksheet 1-20
This set of two printable numbers tracing worksheets were designed with early learners in mind. Page one covers numbers 1-10, and the second is 11-20. They can be used together or you can start with page 1 and come back to page 2 after more number sense is developed.
This worksheet was made for preschool aged children and young learners. The fonts are fully customizable and you can even change the colours!
As Writing Practice
There’s several guided repetitions for each number that kids can use to practice number writing. Focus first on teaching your child proper letter formation, then work through the first page (numbers 1-10) of writing practice.
Page 2 is better for working on focusing on identifying numbers 11-20 and writing them out correctly. It can also be used to identify 2-digit number patterns. Once that’s mastered it’s easy for kids to expand to writing numbers up to 100 and beyond!
To turn this into a reusable worksheet, laminate the printed sheet or slip it into a plastic page protector. Then you can use a dry erase marker instead of a pencil, making it easy to erase and use again.
Developing Number Sense
We often call counting “rote learning” because kids will memorize numbers in order. They usually do this before having a full understanding of what the numbers mean. Worksheets like this one build on those existing skills to help your child link counting with real number sense.
The dots next to each number provide a visual representation of each number. By showing the number alongside its representation, kids will naturally associate the digit with its real value.
Count Each Dot
Go over the number on the left first, either with your child naming it or you, and then count each dot together. If your child can already rote count this is a wonderful exercise to apply that knowledge.
Often, young kids will keep counting past the last dot or over count by not pausing and counting for each dot. Take it slow and count up, carefully pointing to each dot as your child says each number.
If you’re still developing rote counting skills this exercise is a great way to practice!
Use Objects to Represent Each Number
One of the easiest ways to reinforce number sense is to use “counters”. This is a group of small objects that can be used to represent each number. Lego, small toys, even cereal all work well.
Early Math Skills
There are so many different ways to use this tracing worksheet that will help develop early math skills with numbers 1-20.
Learn New Math Terms: Look at the number of dots on a small number, and compare it to a bigger one. Which one has more? Less? Least? Most? Do any of them look almost equal?
Estimation: Fold the paper so they can only see the dots. Have them quickly estimate how many dots there are. Of course, the position will be a hint, but you can build off this skill later.
Addition and Subtraction: What happens when you take away or add one more to our dots? Cover one up or add one with a pencil and count again, or use the numbers on the left as a number line.