Before Number Worksheet: Practice Number Sequencing!
Practicing 'what comes before' a given number strengthens number sequencing for children ages 4-6, requiring them to think backward through the counting sequence rather than only forward, which is how most early counting practice happens. This backward thinking builds flexibility with numbers that supports later subtraction and number-line reasoning.
Part of the pack
Month 7: Preschool Skills Through Play | Ages 4-5
This is page 20 of the pack. Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
Made for your child
Counting to 10, made for your child
A maths pack with your child's name in it: pictures that explain, practice at three levels, puzzles and story sums about them. Print a new set whenever they finish.
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Curriculum
- Number Sense > Number Sequencing
How to use this worksheet
Look at the first number shown in the book picture together and read it aloud. Ask your child what number comes right before it when counting, encouraging them to count up slowly from one if needed to check their answer. Have them write that 'before' number in the empty space provided. Repeat this look-think-write process for each remaining number on the page, checking the finished answers together at the end.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Eraser
Extension activities
- 1Create your own simple number sequence and ask your child to identify the number that comes before a chosen one.
- 2Use building blocks or counters lined up in order and ask your child to remove the one that comes before a given number's block.
- 3Practice counting backward together from ten to one as a related skill-building activity.
- 4Play a quick number line game, hopping backward one space to find the number that comes before.
- 5Use a printed number line at home and cover one number at a time for your child to identify what comes before it.
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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