Fun with Dominoes! (3-5)

The ability to recognize the number of objects in a small group (like the number of dots on a domino) is called subitizing. It can help children immediately identify quantities, and recognize patterns. Subitizing helps move children beyond the need to count with 1:1 correspondence, and towards seeing the ways in which numbers can be combined or decomposed. These are early skills that build numeracy and flexibility in thinking about numbers.

Children ages 3 and 4 might still be too young to be playing the more formal games of dominoes but may still enjoy playing with dominoes. As these children are older, the risk of choking is reduced, but play should still be monitored. If we give 3-4 year olds dominoes to play with freely, it will help them expand their understanding of colors, numbers, matching, sorting, and the ability to subitize.

When children are 5 years old they may be able to start playing, or at least be introduced to the more structured ways we play with dominoes. For the rules of two different domino games see our Dominoes post in the Games section of our blog.