Free printable practice
Before After Practice Activities
Printable Nursery, LKG and UKG counting worksheets that help children identify the number that comes before or after a given number.
Practice that builds confidence
What children learn
These Before After practice activities help Nursery, LKG and UKG children understand number order, not just recite numbers. Children look at a given number and decide which number comes immediately before it or immediately after it.
The printable worksheets include simple counting sequences, missing-number spaces and clear number prompts suited to early learners. They support oral counting, number recognition and the idea that numbers have fixed neighbours in a sequence.
Before and after work builds the idea of number position. A child learns that 4 comes before 5, 6 comes after 5, and every number has a place in the counting order. This is an important early maths skill for Nursery, LKG and UKG because it connects counting aloud with recognising printed numerals.
Skill progression
Children usually begin by saying the number sequence from 1 onwards, then start identifying the number just after a given number. Finding the number before can feel harder because it requires counting backwards or mentally stepping back. These worksheets give repeated, gentle practice with single missing numbers, such as __ 8 or 8 __, so children focus on one relationship at a time.
A simple parent routine
At home, first ask your child to count aloud while pointing to a number strip or fingers. Then say, “What comes after 6?” and let the child answer before writing. For “before”, encourage them to count up to the given number and listen for the number said just before it. Keep the tone playful: use toys in a row, steps on the floor, or plates at mealtime to talk about what is before and after.
Classroom uses
Teachers can use these sheets after oral counting practice, during maths centres, or as a quick check for number-order understanding. Pair work also works well: one child reads the given number and the other says the before or after number. The pages can be used with number cards, beads, counters or a classroom number line for children who still need visual support.
Common errors to watch for
Some children write the next number for every blank, even when the question asks for before. Others reverse digits, skip a number while counting, or rely on memory without looking carefully at the printed numeral. If a child is unsure, bring them back to the counting sequence and ask them to point, say, and then write.
Free printable PDF download
Use this before after worksheets for nursery lkg ukg page to preview the activity, print it, or download it as a PDF for quick practice. It works well for homework, homeschool lessons, tutoring, morning work, revision, and classroom centers.
Answers and answer key support
After the child completes the worksheet independently, parents and teachers can use the answer support or answer key information to check the work, review mistakes, and choose the next practice step.
Why iBloom worksheets help
The activities are uncluttered and age-appropriate, giving young children space to think and write. A helpful child-friendly strategy is: “Find the number, say the counting line, then hop one step back or one step forward.” This keeps before and after meaningful instead of becoming a guessing task.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What does before and after mean in early counting?
Before means the number that comes just earlier in the counting sequence, and after means the number that comes just next. For example, 4 is before 5 and 6 is after 5.
Is this topic suitable for Nursery children?
Yes, with support. Nursery children can begin orally by counting objects and identifying what comes after a small number. LKG and UKG children can usually move towards writing the missing number.
Why does my child find the number before harder than the number after?
Many children learn forward counting first, so the next number feels natural. To find the number before, they must think backwards or listen carefully to the number said just before the given one.
How can I help my child without giving the answer?
Ask your child to count from 1 up to the given number and listen for the number that came just before it. For after, ask them to continue one more number in the counting sequence.
Can these worksheets be used with hands-on materials?
Yes. Number cards, counters, beads, fingers or a simple number line can help children see the order before they write the answer on the worksheet.
Is this before after worksheets for nursery lkg ukg free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this before after worksheets for nursery lkg ukg as a PDF?
Yes. Use the worksheet download option to save a printable PDF, or print the worksheet directly from the page.
Does this before after worksheets for nursery lkg ukg include answers or an answer key?
When the activity has fixed answers, iBloom includes answer support so parents and teachers can check the completed worksheet.