Writing the Numbers 1-20

Say the rhymes with your child as you demonstrate how to write each numeral.

1      Start at the top and go straight down;

here you have the number ONE.

2      Start at the top and around the bend and then a straight line back; when you’re through you have a TWO.

3      Start at the top circle half way around and half way around again; to make the number THREE.

4      Start at the top straight line down and straight line over, and one longer straight line down once more; look at that you made a FOUR.

5      Start at the top straight line down, circle half way around, and don’t forget to add the straight line on top; that makes for a fine FIVE.

6      Start at the top and curve down and circle all the way around; that makes the number SIX.

7      Straight line across the top and then slant a line down; it’s the number SEVEN.

8      Start at the top and snake around and snake back up; EIGHT is fun to make.

9      Start at the top circle all the way around and then straight line down; NINE sure looks fine.

10  Start at the top and go straight down.  Lift your pen up and start again, just one big circle around. You just made the number TEN.

11  Start at the top and go straight down. Move next door, start at the top and go straight down. You have written the number ELEVEN.

12  Start at the top and go straight down. Move next door, start at the top and around the bend and then a straight line back.  There you have the number TWELVE.

13  Start at the top and go straight down. Move next door, start at the top circle half way around and half way around again.  THIRTEEN is here.

14  Start at the top and go straight down.  Move next door, start at the top straight line down and straight line over, and one longer straight line down once more.  FOURTEEN appears here.

15  Stat at the top and go straight down. Move next door, start at the top and straight line down, circle half way around, and don’t forget to add the straight line on the top. You have the number FIFTEEN.

16  Start at the top and go straight down.  Move next door, start at the top and curve down and circle all the way around.  SIXTEEN is here.

17  Start at the top and go straight down.  Move next door, straight line across the top and then slant a line down.  SEVENTEEN magical appears.

18  Start at the top and go straight down.  Move next door, start at the top and snake around and snake back up.  EIGHTEEN is made.

19  Start at the top and go straight down.  Move next door, start at the top circle all the way around and then straight line down.  NINETEEN is complete.

20  Start at the top and around the bend and then a straight line back.  Move next door, just one big circle around.  TWENTY does appear.