Mastering counting takes a lot of practice!  Getting through the teens and all the way up to 20 tends to be tricky for kids at first.  I use different strategies with my preschoolers to encourage separating out each number while counting.  Pointing and counting to practice one to one correspondence is one of these strategies.  This set of super cute bug clip cards are a perfect way to practice pointing and counting using the numbers 1-20!

Bug Count & Clip Cards

Spring is in the air, and so are the bugs!  Whether your focus is on bugs or other spring things, these clip cards will fit nicely into your theme.

This set of bug themed count and clip cards includes the numbers 1-20.  Each card has a different number of bugs on them.  The goal is to count the number of bugs on the card, and then clip (or mark) the correct number at the bottom.

Simply download the free set of counting cards (below), cut them apart and laminate them for extra durability. The easiest way to play is with clothespins (this builds fine motor skills as well), but you can get creative with how the correct number is marked!

Using the bug count and clip cards at home or your in classroom is a low prep way to add number recognition and counting practice into your little one’s day.

In my classroom full of 3 and 4 year-olds, I will use clip cards in a small group or with individual students.  This allows me to not only give my attention to just a few students at a time, but it allows me to quickly assess math skills and any gains they are making.  At first, I am usually the one pointing while the preschooler counts.  This limits frustration for my young learners during small group activities.

At home, this bug themed counting activity is a great busy bag!  Use the bug count and clip cards to fit your child’s needs.  Print the first 8 or 12 cards instead of the whole set if your child cannot yet recognize their numbers all the way up to 20.  Add more cards to the set as they master the first set.  After you play, store the cards in a reusable freezer bag until next time!

Another Way to Play!

While playing with the bug count and clip cards at home, my preschooler insisted that the bugs needed to be squished!  It was actually a great suggestion because it gave me the idea to add play dough to the bugs.

With each squish, my preschooler counted a number.  It was an easy way to see which bug had been counted already and which ones had not.  The play dough that was not squished yet still needed to be counted!

This is a fantastic (and super fun) way to practice one to one correspondence!

Grab Your Set

Now it’s time to start counting! Grab your own set of bug count and clip cards HERE.  Then, for more counting fun, grab our dinosaur themed set! 

For more clip cards, check out our monthly sets that are jam packed of math and literacy clip cards for the entire year! You can view them all in our TpT store HERE or by clicking the photo below.