I’m Thinking Of A Number
This is an introductory version of a fun game we will revisit again soon.
How to play
There are two people: the Puzzler thinks of a number and the Questioner discovers the number. The Puzzler declares, “I am thinking of a number from 0 to 8” (for example). The Questioner then asks questions of the form “How does your number compare to 3?” The Puzzler answers that the number is smaller, equal to, or larger than that number.
Use cards
With younger children, play this game with counting cards from 0 to 8 placed face up. Hide a star under one of the cards. After each guess, the Questioner turns over all the eliminated cards until the star is discovered.
Example
The game pictured above uses cards with a target of 5.
Puzzler: I’m thinking of a number from 0 to 8.
Question: How does your number compare to 3?
Puzzler: My number is larger than 3.
Question: How does your number compare to 6?
Puzzler: My number is smaller than 6.
Question: How does your number compare to 5?
Puzzler: Well done! My number is equal to 5.
Helping your child
First and foremost, playing math games should be fun, like any other game your family plays together!
Please let your child make poor plays (mistakes) without correction, and resist the urge to tell them the best ways to play. Bit by bit, your child will get better at the game, and they will learn so much more if you let them figure things out. There is no hurry.
If you see your child make a mistake, ask them to describe why they decided to do what they did. If your child is stuck and doesn’t know which play to make, ask them to describe the pros and cons of their choices, or ask them about how they solved a similar situation in the past. If your child doesn’t remember how to do a calculation, discuss with them the methods they know for figuring it out. These conversations are important for helping your child to develop mathematically.
Through math game play and math conversations, you are helping your child learn to enjoy math and develop important problem solving skills!