Young children benefit from frequently comparing sets of objects to some given number. For example, given sets of colored chips arranged on a table, they should name which sets have more than five and which have less than five. Students will easily distinguish between the 7's and the 3's, but will be reluctant to make judgments about closer numbers like the 4's and 5's without counting. As they play more often, however, their ability to distinguish will visibly improve. They may also begin to notice patterns involving even and odd numbers on their own.
Students learn to recognize certain arrangements of dots or stars as representing certain numbers.
Using flashcards, they estimate the number of dots or stars, and then count to check their estimates. After reading Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews, students make up their own uses for 1-10 black dots. They use adhesive dots to create their own books that include uses for each of the numbers from 1 through 10. They then estimate and count the total number of dots they actually use for their book. Use personal referents, such as the width of a finger as one centimeter, for estimations with measurement.