If your toddler has ever played with a shape sorter (one of those classic toys with a variety of blocks and matching holes), you’ve probably watched them eagerly try to push a round cylinder through a star-shaped opening. After a few determined attempts, they pause, reconsider, and try a different piece.
To an adult, it looks like simple play. But, in that moment, your child is doing something remarkable. They’re exploring size, shape, space, and fit — building blocks of number sense. Before children learn to count, add, or subtract, they develop a sense of how quantities and physical relationships work.
Number sense is the ability to understand and work with numbers in a flexible, intuitive way. It forms the foundation for all future math learning.
And it matters. Research shows that number sense is one of the most reliable predictors of later success in math.1 For parents of children ages 4 to 6, this means early support in number sense development isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential.
At Mathnasium of Frisco East, we see how quickly young learners grow when their number sense is nurtured through guided practice and caring support. Today, we’ll explore what number sense is (in more detail), why it matters, and practical strategies for building it.
Meet the Top-Rated Math Tutors in Frisco, TX
Number sense refers to a child’s natural ability to understand and use numbers. It includes several core components that set the stage for all later math learning:
Counting: Understanding numbers in sequence and applying one-to-one correspondence (matching each object counted to one number).
Subitizing: Instantly recognizing small quantities without counting.
Cardinality: Understanding that the last number counted represents the total number of items.
Magnitude: Recognizing which numbers are larger or smaller and estimating quantities.
Studies by Aunio et al. (2015) and Jordan et al. (2009) show that strong number sense in preschool predicts math success in third grade, while according to a 2024 review by Rohland published in EBSCO Research Starters source, these foundational skills have a significant long-term impact on math performance.2,3,4
At Mathnasium of Frisco East, tutors emphasize that number sense is not just about memorizing digits. It’s about developing a feel for numbers that allows students to approach math with confidence and curiosity.
Foundational skills like Number Sense have a lasting impact on children’s math confidence and performance
Number sense develops gradually and naturally, starting long before formal schooling.
Between the ages of 3 and 5, children typically begin to count aloud, recognize written numbers, and identify small quantities without counting. These foundational skills often develop through play and observation.
Between the ages of 6 and 8, children start to form deeper understandings of number relationships, place value, and simple arithmetic. They begin to estimate, compare quantities, and identify patterns in numbers.
Even infants show early signs of number sensitivity. A 2023 study by Decarli et al. found that 12-month-old infants who demonstrated sensitivity to changes in quantity were more likely to have strong symbolic math skills by age 4.5
When these early abilities are supported through structured activities and caring guidance, children progress faster and with fewer gaps. Tutors at Mathnasium of Frisco East work closely with students at every developmental stage, using methods that match their current level of understanding.
A child’s early understanding of numbers shapes how they approach math for years to come. Number sense forms the base for more advanced skills such as estimation, problem decomposition, pattern recognition, and mental math.
These advanced abilities underpin success in later concepts, including:
Understanding fractions and ratios
Performing multi-step calculations
Recognizing numerical patterns and relationships
Developing strategies for solving real-world problems
At Mathnasium of Frisco East, tutors regularly see how students who once struggled with basic counting begin to excel when their number sense is strengthened. With personalized learning plans and engaging instruction, students learn to break down problems and understand what numbers represent, not just how to calculate.
Children who develop number sense early are more confident, less anxious, and more prepared to tackle future math challenges, including algebra and geometry.
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Mathnasium uses interactive teaching techniques to make math understandable and fun
Parents can do a lot to help their children build number sense, and it doesn’t require special tools or training. Everyday experiences are filled with math opportunities when you know what to look for.
Here are some activities that reinforce number sense:
Counting items: Count toys, snacks, or steps together to build sequential understanding.
Board games: Use games with numbered spaces to develop magnitude and number order.
Dot cards or dice: Encourage subitizing by asking how many dots appear without counting.
Daily tasks: Sort laundry by size, measure ingredients, or compare grocery items to discuss quantities and categories.
As Aunio et al. (2015) emphasize, these interactive and engaging experiences tie math to real life, making abstract concepts feel meaningful.2
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While daily experiences at home can lay the groundwork for number sense, many families also look for structured support to reinforce these skills and build a positive relationship with math. That’s where math-only learning centers like Mathnasium come in.
At Mathnasium of Frisco East, tutors build on these strategies by using a mix of visual aids, hands-on activities, and verbal reasoning. Lessons are customized to each student and delivered face-to-face in a fun and caring group environment.
If your child frequently miscounts items, struggles to identify which of two numbers is larger, or avoids math-related tasks altogether, it may indicate a need for extra support. Our tutors identify these gaps during the initial assessment and use proven methods to address them directly.
Hear from Larry Martinek, the creator of the Mathnasium Method™, as he explains how this approach transforms the way children learn and understand math.
Mathnasium’s Early Childhood and Elementary School tutoring programs are specifically designed to support the development of number sense and set the student on their best path to achieving math mastery.
We use a proprietary learning approach, the Mathnasium Method™, designed to help students truly understand and even enjoy math. The Mathnasium Method™ combines:
Assessment: Each student begins with a diagnostic assessment so we can identify their current skill level and learning needs.
Personalized learning plan: Our experts create a custom plan tailored to build each student’s number sense, one concept at a time.
Interactive instruction: Our specially trained tutors follow the personalized learning plans using proven teaching techniques such as Socratic questioning, games, and real-world examples to keep students engaged and learning.
Consistent encouragement: Students receive regular feedback and support to build confidence and curiosity.
Whether your child is catching up, staying on track, or getting ahead, Mathnasium offers a structured and supportive way to develop number sense.
The results of the Mathnasium Method™ speak for themselves:
94% of parents report an improvement in their child’s math skills and understanding.
93% of parents observe a more positive attitude toward math.
90% of students see an improvement in their school grades.
With over 1,100 learning centers nationwide, Mathnasium brings its proven approach to communities across the country.
For families in and around Frisco, TX, Mathnasium of Frisco East offers this structured, math-focused learning experience close to home, helping students build skills, confidence, and momentum in math.
Ready to help your child thrive in math?
Schedule a free assessment at Mathnasium of Frisco East and take the first step toward lasting success.
Schedule a free assessment at Mathnasium of Frisco East
1. Chang, H., Chen, L., Zhang, Y., Xie, Y., De Los Angeles, C., Adair, E., Zanitti, G., Wassermann, D., Rosenberg-Lee, M., & Menon, V. (2022). Foundational number sense training gains are predicted by Hippocampal–Parietal circuits. Journal of Neuroscience, 42(19), 4000–4015. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1005-21.2022
2. Aunio, P., et al. (2015). Core numerical skills for learning mathematics in children aged five to eight years – a working model for educators. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270888941_Core_numerical_skills_for_learning_mathematics_in_children_aged_five_to_eight_years_-_a_working_model_for_educators
3. Jordan, N. C., & Et Al. (2009). Early math matters: kindergarten number competence and later mathematics outcomes. Dev Psychol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19413436/
4. Number sense | EBSCO. (n.d.). EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/mathematics/number-sense
5. Decarli, G., Zingaro, D., Surian, L., & Piazza, M. (2023). Number sense at 12 months predicts 4‐year‐olds’ maths skills. Developmental Science, 26(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13386
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