This number activity combines number recognition, counting and one to one correspondence. All preschool math skills that are the building blocks for learning addition, subtraction and more complicated operations. This activity is easy to make simpler by reducing how many bugs you use, and using smaller numbers. If your child has mastered these skills make the bugs into equations. Write 2+4 on the bug and have them use the dots as manipulatives and solve the equation with them!
- Gather your materials. You will need some black, red and yellow construction paper, a marker, googly eyes and glue. I also used a piece of cardboard to anchor all 4 bugs.
- Start by drawing the outline of a lady bug on one of the colored sheets of construction paper.
- Cut out all 4 bugs and glue on the cardboard, add smiles if you want!
- Cut out black dots for the bugs, after step 5 you may need to cut a few extra out but I found it easier to keep the activity flowing than make my son wait while I cut out the exact numbers he chose. We had a few left overs actually.
- Ask your child to choose a number for each bug. By letting your child choose the numbers it gives them some control which I am sure you agree is a great thing for preschoolers! Write the numbers out on each bug. If your child is able, have them write the number even if it’s huge and messy encourage them to try!
- Add glue and the dots to each bug. Have your child count out the number as they add the glue. If your child needs some help with counting , do the glue yourself so your child is simply matching up the dots to the glue.
- Encourage your child to count out loud as they add the dots, especially with preschoolers who have a tendency to skip numbers if they are counting out loud, you can intervene and encourage them to start again. Use gentle corrections and lots of praise. By adding the dots one and a time this encourages one to one correspondence naturally.
- After all the spots have been added to the bugs add glue for the googly eyes.
- Add the eyes and let dry.
Need a book about bugs to continue this lesson?
12 Responses to “Make and Count Ladybugs”
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An expansion on this activity is to use a die (I’ve got one with actual #’s not dots) or a deck of cards to show the kids how many spots their ladybug should have.
Thanks, Allie! My boys had fun with the ladybugs (the extra bugs were eaten by dinosaurs with sharp teeth…).
Do you have a FB page where we can share pics? I’ve done a few of your projects with my 20mo old and 3.5y/o – it’s neat to see them do the same thing and so easy to adjust for my younger little dude.
Little loved painting with the q-tip and “dot dot dot” ing the Spring Bud Tree. Today he just played gluestick with the bugs and dots. While I was cutting the project, Little practiced ripping paper while older practiced scissors with some scraps…
Lots of fine motor all around!
Idea – when we play Candy Land we’ve started using a 12 or 20 sided die instead of color cards. 3.5y/o knows his colors but needs more practice counting – the die helps with counting and makes the game go faster too
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Thankyou for your projects!
Yes my facebook is here and i would love for you to add pictures! http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Time-For-Flash-Cards/96662072714
Great ideas ladies and so glad the activity was fun!
I am DEFINITELY doing this today. My kids will love it. My daughter is sick today from Kindergarten– so she will get a kick out of the adding or maybe even subtracting. Thanks!
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This is a great project. One my daughter’s favorite bugs these days are lady bugs, and for some reason everything she sees she says “count with me” (I think this may be Dora’s influence).
I love the idea about using dice with candy land we’re experiencing the same thing here with colors and numbers.
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Looks like fun! I think I might try this one using one of my big hole punches. K wants to do a few and then I can do the rest fast.
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Super cute! I love the googly eyes. So much fun!
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This is a great math activity! Do you mind linking this to our math Linky this week? I’m hoping to get readers excited about doing more math with their kids! Much appreciated!
http://joyfullearner.blogspot.com/2010/03/math-week.html
Thanks for the great idea! My daughter had a blast making these ladybugs last evening. Great way to reinforce counting and one-to-one correspondence!
Great math activity! And I like how you had him choose what numbers he wanted to use!
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I linked up to this post from a ladybug-focused post on my blog tonight
I know this is an old post, but I linked up to it from a ladybug-focused post on blog today. 
http://infantbibliophile.blogspot.com/2010/11/ladybugs-pre-kkindergarten-activities.html
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