Find the Stolen Number

1. 1

   Arrange the number cards from a deck in order and choose a toy to be the Number Thief.

2. 2

   Demonstrate once: hide one card, count forward from 1, and stop where the sequence has a gap.

3. 3

   Ask your child to close their eyes while the toy steals one card, then ask which number is missing.

4. 4

   Let your child search first. After a pause, remind them that counting the row one card at a time can help.

5. 5

   If they become stuck, count together and stop before the gap: “One, two…what comes next?”

6. 6

   When the number is found, make the toy say, “You caught me! It was 3.” Let your child return the card and choose whether to play again.

What to notice

• Counts the playing cards one by one and finds the missing numbers Emergent Mathematical Thinking
• Reads the numbers on several playing cards Emergent Literacy

Tips

• Start with the numerals from 1 to 5. When your child can find the missing numeral easily, try a longer sequence or remove more than one card.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Counting through a row to find a missing numeral helps your child become familiar with number order and use the sequence as a clue.
• Language: Repeatedly seeing, hearing, and saying number names helps your child connect each written numeral with its pronunciation.