Garden Flowers Printable Counting Book

Inside: This free garden printable counting book helps toddlers and preschoolers identify numbers from 1-10 as they turn each page. Fine motor skills are also used as each page is colored. A fun activity to go with the gardening theme!

Toddlers and preschoolers love listening to stories read by adults.

They will sit, listen, and watch as each page is turned.

But have you ever given your children their own little book? One that they can hold in their hands, color in, perhaps identify some letters or even words?

This printable counting book is a fun addition to your gardening theme, if in school, or as a quiet home activity while sitting at the table.

Or, take it outdoors where children are surrounded by real flowers!

While counting the flowers in the garden, open the book and count the flowers on each page.

Such a fun way to strengthen counting skills while also working on fine motor and language.

Garden Flowers Printable Counting Book

There are so many benefits when children come in contact with books.

First, they are learning how to listen.

As you read each word, each sentence, children are hearing how that word sounds. This builds a deep connection to language, helping children gain the skills they need to become readers.

Watch the video:

Books are a big part of our toddler and preschool classrooms.

They are displayed face out on our bookshelves.

They rest as a pile in baskets.

They are propped on top of shelves in various centers – even the block center and dramatic play area.

They are looked at while we get ready to transition to a new activity.

They are read by teachers during circle time and throughout the morning when a few children gather with a teacher in a corner of our classroom.

A few years into my teaching career I found copies of personal books in a teacher magazine.

I took them to the copier, made enough prints to assemble small books for each child, and stapled them together.

When I observed how excited they were to hold their own books, I decided to find more ways to use them.

During our gardening theme I decided to create a book that focused on numbers 1-10, the first page starting with 1 and the last page ending with 10.

A book that can be used very simply with toddlers and a bit more focused with preschoolers.

Materials Needed

Flower Counting Book Printable (Scroll down page to find link to download)
Crayons (we love the size of our Flip crayons)

Prepping this Activity

After downloading the printable, make enough copies so each child will have his own book.

Cut on the line across the middle of the printable and assemble the pages starting with the title and moving through each number, ending with 10.

Staple the left side of the booklet.

Color and Count

Once the books have been assembled, put the children’s names on the covers and invite them to color the pages.

Encourage the children to count the flowers.

Toddlers

Toddlers might only be interested in coloring a couple of pages, and that is fine. They are still be exposed to the numbers on each page as they are adding their marks.

I’ve found that placing the books in small baskets and having them available for multiple days works better for their shorter attention spans.

Have the basket available on a table along with crayons each day.

Preschoolers

Preschoolers will be able to work more on number recognition and counting skills.

Encourage them to count each flower as they color their pages.

There can also be numbers they can physically hold that are available.

For example, a small basket of wooden numbers can sit beside the container of crayons.

As the children come to each page, ask them what number is on it and then find the matching wooden number.

Using as a Read Aloud in the Classroom

The best part of using printable books is reading them aloud during centers time, if you are in a classroom.

Give each child their books and have your own copy.

Invite them to open their books and turn the pages when you read and then turn your book’s pages.

Keep the books in their own basket somewhere in your classroom. We like to keep ours in our reading and writing center.

At any time the children can go through the basket, find their books, and look at them. You might even keep the crayons handy if they decide to add more color to the pages.

Eventually the books can be placed in cubbies to take home.