Before and After Numbers Worksheet for Preschoolers
Children ages 4-6 strengthen their understanding of number order by identifying which number comes immediately before and after a given number, a skill that builds number line reasoning beyond simple counting. Completing the cherry and lolly counting sections adds a real quantity-based check to the abstract number sequencing work. Together, these tasks deepen number sense and prepare children for addition and subtraction, which depend on knowing neighboring numbers.
Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Look at the first given number together and ask your child what number comes right before it, encouraging them to count backward if needed rather than guessing. Have them write that number in the box provided, then repeat the process for the number that comes after, counting forward this time. Move to the cherry and lolly section, where your child should count the pictured objects carefully and write the total to complete the number sentence. Continue through the remaining problems, checking each answer by counting aloud together.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Eraser
Extension activities
- •Use a number line drawn on paper or chalk on the sidewalk to physically hop to numbers before and after a called-out number.
- •Play a quick verbal game asking 'what comes after 7?' or 'what comes before 15?' during daily routines.
- •Count out real cherries, grapes, or candies and ask what number comes before or after that quantity.
- •Create flashcards with a number in the middle and blank spaces on either side for your child to fill in.
- •Build a staircase using blocks numbered in sequence and remove one for your child to identify.
Tips for parents and teachers
The concept of 'before' can be more difficult than 'after' since children are used to counting forward, so if they hesitate, have them count from 1 up to the target number and note what came just before it. Watch for reversed digits when writing numbers like 6 and 9, which is common at this age and not a cause for concern. Counting the cherries and lollies aloud together keeps the abstract number work grounded in something concrete and visual.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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