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manipulatives

Numicon activities

Use patterned shapes for counting, bonds, odd/even and operations.

Quick answer

Numicon activities use patterned shapes to help children understand numbers, counting, bonds, odd and even numbers, and basic operations like addition and subtraction.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how Numicon shapes help you see and feel numbers, making maths easier to learn and remember. Success signs:
  • You can match Numicon shapes to numbers
  • You can use the shapes to add and subtract
  • You can see how numbers relate to each other
  • You can explain how the shapes help you understand odd and even numbers

Why this matters

Numicon shapes help children understand numbers by showing patterns and relationships. This makes maths more visual and fun, especially for young learners. The shapes are used in schools and at home to build strong number sense. They help children understand that numbers are made up of smaller parts, and that these parts can be combined or separated in many ways. This is important for later learning in fractions, multiplication, and problem-solving.

How it works

Numicon shapes are patterned pieces that show numbers from 1 to 10 using holes. Each number has its own shape with a specific pattern of holes. For example, the shape for 3 has three holes in a triangle, and the shape for 5 has five holes in a cross pattern. These shapes help children see:
  • How many objects are in a group
  • How numbers compare to each other
  • How to combine numbers to make bigger numbers
  • How to take numbers away to make smaller numbers

Examples you can see

Let's look at how Numicon shapes work with some examples. Counting with Numicon To count 4 objects, you can use the Numicon shape for 4. This shape has four holes arranged in a square pattern. You can place the shape on a number line or table to see how it compares to other numbers. Adding numbers To add 3 + 2, you can put the Numicon shapes for 3 and 2 together. The shape for 3 has three holes, and the shape for 2 has two holes. When you put them together, you can see that they make 5 holes. This shows that 3 + 2 = 5. Subtracting numbers To subtract 5 - 2, you can start with the Numicon shape for 5 and take away the shape for 2. You can see that you have 3 holes left, showing that 5 - 2 = 3. Odd and even numbers The Numicon shape for 4 has 4 holes arranged in a square. The shape for 5 has 5 holes arranged in a cross. You can see that 4 can be split into two equal groups of 2, making it even. The shape for 5 cannot be split into two equal groups, making it odd.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Numicon Treasure Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt in a magical garden where numbers are hidden in the form of Numicon shapes. Your mission is to find the right shapes to complete your number puzzle. Step 1: You find a shape with 3 holes in a triangle. What number does this represent? Step 2: You find a shape with 6 holes in a cross pattern. What number does this represent? Step 3: You need to add 3 + 4. Place the shapes for 3 and 4 together. How many holes do you see now? Step 4: You want to subtract 7 - 3. Take away the shape for 3 from the shape for 7. How many holes are left? Answer: Step 1: 3 Step 2: 6 Step 3: 7 Step 4: 4

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that the shape for 10 is the same as the shape for 1. Why it happens: Children may not notice the difference in the number of holes. Fix: Use the shape for 10 and count the holes carefully. It has 10 holes in a pattern that is different from 1.
  • Mistake: Confusing the shape for 8 with the shape for 9. Why it happens: Both shapes have similar patterns, making them easy to mix up. Fix: Count the holes in each shape carefully. The shape for 8 has 8 holes, and the shape for 9 has 9 holes.
  • Mistake: Not understanding that 5 + 5 = 10. Why it happens: Children may not see that two identical shapes can make a bigger number. Fix: Place two shapes for 5 together and count the total holes. This shows that 5 + 5 = 10.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child use Numicon shapes by:
  • Playing simple games with the shapes, such as matching numbers to shapes
  • Using the shapes to count objects around the house
  • Adding and subtracting numbers using the shapes
  • Encouraging your child to explain how the shapes help them understand numbers
What to say:
  • "Let's look at the shape for 6. How many holes do you see?"
  • "Can you use the shapes to show 4 + 3?"
  • "What happens when you take away 2 from 7?"
What not to worry about:
  • It's normal for children to mix up shapes at first
  • Children may need time to understand how numbers relate to each other
  • It's okay if they don't get it right the first time

Practice questions

  1. Which Numicon shape shows the number 7?
    • A. Shape with 7 holes in a cross pattern
    • B. Shape with 7 holes in a triangle
    • C. Shape with 7 holes in a square
    • D. Shape with 7 holes in a line
    Answer: A
  2. What is 3 + 5 using Numicon shapes?
    • A. 7
    • B. 8
    • C. 9
    • D. 10
    Answer: B
  3. Which number is even, and how can you tell using Numicon shapes?
    • A. 6, because it can be split into two equal groups
    • B. 5, because it has 5 holes
    • C. 7, because it is odd
    • D. 8, because it is the biggest number
    Answer: A
  4. How many holes does the shape for 10 have?
    • A. 9
    • B. 10
    • C. 11
    • D. 12
    Answer: B
  5. What is 9 - 4 using Numicon shapes?
    • A. 4
    • B. 5
    • C. 6
    • D. 7
    Answer: B

FAQ

What are Numicon activities?

Numicon activities use patterned shapes to help children understand numbers and basic operations. Each number has its own shape with a specific pattern of holes that shows how many objects are in a group.

How can I use Numicon shapes at home?

You can use Numicon shapes to count objects, add and subtract numbers, and explore odd and even numbers. Try matching numbers to shapes, creating patterns, or playing simple games with the shapes.

Are Numicon shapes only for young children?

No, Numicon shapes can be used by children of all ages. They are especially helpful for younger children who are learning to count and understand basic operations, but they can also be used for more advanced concepts like multiplication and fractions.

Can I make my own Numicon shapes?

Yes, you can make your own Numicon shapes using cardboard or paper. Simply cut out shapes with the correct number of holes arranged in the same patterns as the original Numicon shapes.

How do Numicon shapes help with learning?

Numicon shapes help children see and feel numbers, making abstract concepts more concrete. They help children understand that numbers are made up of smaller parts and can be combined or separated in many ways. This builds strong number sense and makes learning maths more enjoyable.