X Tables
Early Years Maths

Ordinal numbers for children

Teach first, second, third and last through races, stories and line-ups.

Quick answer

Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order of things in a line, like first, second, third, or last. You can use ordinal numbers to describe where you are in a race, who comes next in a story, or which toy is at the front of your toy box.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to say and use ordinal numbers from first to tenth to describe where things are in a line or order. Success signs:
  • You can point to a line of objects and say which one is first, second, third, etc.
  • You can put objects in order and describe their positions.
  • You can use ordinal words when telling a story or describing a race.
  • You can write ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th.

Why this matters

Ordinal numbers help you understand order and position in everyday life. When you line up for lunch, know who is first in the queue, or understand that you are third in your class, you are using ordinal numbers. In games, races, and sports, ordinal numbers help you know who comes next, who wins, and how far you are from the finish line. Understanding ordinal numbers is important for reading, writing, and thinking about sequences and patterns.

How it works

Ordinal numbers are used to show where something is in a line or order. They help us say things like:
  • First place
  • Second runner
  • Third prize
  • Last person in line
Ordinal numbers are different from counting numbers like 1, 2, 3. They tell us the position of something, not how many things there are. To understand ordinal numbers, start with simple words:
  • First – the very beginning
  • Second – the one after the first
  • Third – the one after the second
  • Fourth – the one after the third
  • Fifth – the one after the fourth
Keep going up to tenth for the first ten ordinal numbers.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are at a birthday party with your friends. You are standing in a line to get your cake. Here's how you can describe where everyone is:
Position Ordinal Word Number Friend
1st First 1 Emma
2nd Second 2 Oliver
3rd Third 3 Lucy
4th Fourth 4 Ben
5th Fifth 5 Grace
In this line, Emma is first, Oliver is second, Lucy is third, Ben is fourth, and Grace is fifth. You can also use ordinal numbers to describe a race. Imagine a race with 10 runners. Here's how you can describe who comes in which place:
Position Ordinal Word Number Runner
1st First 1 Tom
2nd Second 2 Jessica
3rd Third 3 David
4th Fourth 4 Sophie
5th Fifth 5 James
6th Sixth 6 Emily
7th Seventh 7 Michael
8th Eighth 8 Amelia
9th Ninth 9 William
10th Tenth 10 Olivia
Tom is first in the race, Jessica is second, David is third, and so on.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a race adventure! You and your friends are going to have a fun race around the garden. Here's how to play: 1st time: You are the starting line. Place 5 toy cars in a line and decide who is first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. 2nd time: Draw a picture of your race with 5 cars. Label each car with its ordinal number. 3rd time: Use ordinal numbers to describe where each car is in the race. For example, "The red car is second." 4th time: Run around the garden and count how many steps you take to reach each point. Use ordinal numbers to describe where you are. 5th time: Draw a chart showing the order of finish. Use ordinal numbers to show who wins.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Confusing ordinal numbers with counting numbers. For example, thinking that 3rd is the same as 3.
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that ordinal numbers show position, not how many.
    Fix: Use physical examples like lining up toys or people and asking "Who is first?" instead of "How many?"
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add suffixes to ordinal numbers.
    Why it happens: Children may not notice that ordinal numbers end in -st, -nd, -rd, -th.
    Fix: Practice writing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and use visual aids like charts.
  • Mistake: Saying "fourth" instead of "fourth place."
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that ordinal numbers describe position in a sequence.
    Fix: Use examples like "The fourth person in line is wearing a red hat."

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn ordinal numbers by:
  • Using ordinal words in daily conversations: "You are first in line," "The third book on the shelf is yours."
  • Playing games with lines: "Who is first in the queue? Who is last?"
  • Reading stories that use ordinal numbers: "The first day of school," "The second time she tried."
  • Using ordinal numbers in cooking: "Put the first egg in the bowl," "Add the third ingredient."
  • Practicing with ordinal numbers in a race or game.
Remember, learning ordinal numbers takes time. Be patient and keep using the words in everyday situations. Don't worry if your child makes mistakes – they are part of the learning process.

Practice questions

  1. What position is the red car if it is in front of all the others?
  2. If you are the third person in a line, how many people are in front of you?
  3. Which ordinal number comes after fifth?
  4. Write the ordinal numbers from first to tenth.
  5. What position is the last person in a line of 8 people?
Answers:
  1. First
  2. Two people
  3. Sixth
  4. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
  5. Eighth

FAQ

What are ordinal numbers?

Ordinal numbers are words that tell us the position or order of something in a line or sequence, like first, second, third, and so on.

How are ordinal numbers different from counting numbers?

Counting numbers tell us how many things there are, while ordinal numbers tell us where something is in a line or order.

What are the first ten ordinal numbers?

The first ten ordinal numbers are: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth.

How can I practice ordinal numbers at home?

You can practice by lining up toys, using ordinal words in daily conversations, playing games with lines, and reading stories that use ordinal numbers.

Why do children find ordinal numbers hard?

Children may find ordinal numbers hard because they need to understand position and order, which is different from just counting.