Number Comprehension

I can't take credit for this activity - I got it from some home school curriculum my friends uses, but I LOVE it.

Once a child understands how to count and can combine simple numbers (1 + 1) start teaching them the meaning of numbers in terms of 5.

You can start out with a little saying and finger play:
6 is 5 and 1. See the 1 run.
7 is 5 and 2. See them tie the shoe.
8 is 5 and 3. See them climb a tree.
9 is 5 and 4. See them shut the door.
10 is 5 and 5. See them come alive.
(or whatever rhyme you like)

Then build on this by showing them 8 fingers and asking how many there are but DON'T let them count the 5. Point out that they know that one hand is 5. They can count on from there. OR they can remember their rhyme and since you are holding up 5 and 3, then it is 8.

You can model these numbers with base 10 blocks, or m&m's, or beans, or bites they have to eat at dinner - show them 7 in terms of 5 and then 2. They can count out money - 8 pennies is 5 pennies and 3 pennies. Build on this knowledge with lots of different number games. Use dice, playing cards, etc.

When they are old enough and mentally ready to move on, higher addition becomes MUCH easier. When adding 8 and 9 they have a mental "visual" of 8 as 5 and 3 and of 9 as 5 and 4. So adding 8 and 9 easily becomes adding 5 & 5 & 3 & 4 which is MUCH easier then counting up 9 more than 8.