Number Matching With Pegs – 3 Easy Ways

Once upon a time, clothespins – also known as pegs – were vital to drying laundry.  With modern washers and dryers, pegs are now perfect for building fine-motor skills and hands-on learning.  Pegs are also inexpensive and when paired with a Sharpie and cardboard – voilà! – an easy, interactive lesson on number sequence.  Here are 3 of my daughter’s favorite number matching activities with pegs!

What you need:

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1. Clothespins
2. Cardboard
3. Sharpie marker
4. Paint (optional)

Option 1 – Dot & number matching

What to do:

1. Optional: paint a cardboard (gives contrast to the pegs)
2. Write numbers 1-10 on cardboard
3. Draw dots on pegs with Sharpie
4. Match peg to corresponding number
5. Ask your child which pegs have the most and least dots

Option 2 – Clock-face recognition

What to do:

1. Trace and cut cardboard circle (I used the lid of an oatmeal container)
2. Optional: paint cardboard (gives contrast to the pegs)
3. Write numbers 1-12 on cardboard
4. Write on pegs with Sharpie
5. Match peg to corresponding number

Option 3 – Skip counting

What to do:

1. Write numbers on cardboard strips – consider starting with 10s because it is often perceived to be the easiest
2. Write numbers on clothespins with permanent marker
3. Match peg to corresponding number
4. When the child has mastered skip counting 10s, work on 5s, 2s, 3s, and 4s.  Explain to child that this helps them count faster (speed counting!) and builds the foundation for multiplication

Teaching suggestions:

1. Model counting out loud for your child and ask him or her to count out loud:
   一，二，三，四，五，六，七，八, 九, 十…yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ, liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí…

2. Explain to your child that counting out loud helps make a habit of counting carefully without rushing.

If you try these number matching activities, let us know!  Leave a comment and don’t forget to tag a photo #ChalkAcademy on Instagram and Facebook.  Happy learning, friends!