Helping Children with Number Reversals: Tricks for Reversing Numbers
- Hammond Bell Educational Services, LLC
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Does your child sometimes writes 3 as E, 6 as 9, or 2 as 5? You're not alone.
If your child sometimes writes 3 as E, 6 as 9, or 2 as 5, you are not alone. Number reversals are a common struggle for children, especially in the early years of learning math. While occasional mistakes are normal, consistent reversals can make math more confusing and may be a sign that your child needs extra support with directionality, spatial awareness, and memory for number formation.
The good news? With patience, practice, and the right strategies, children can overcome these challenges. Keep reading below for
You also might find our other recent blogs helpful, particularly one about helping children with letter reversals.
Why Do Number Reversals Happen?
Just like with letter reversals, number reversals are often linked to:
Developing visual-spatial skills – Understanding left, right, and orientation takes time. These are not skills like speech, that develop naturally. Visual/ spacial skills (like reading and spelling) need to be taught and sometimes students require more explicit, multisensory instruction.
Memory for number formation – Children may know what the number looks like but struggle to recall how to write it. They may need support with this- we have some suggestions below!
Processing speed – Rushing through work can increase reversals. Encourage students to take their time and check their work. Also, ensure that they are given enough time to process what they are working on. I recently heard the suggestion of saying, "do you need more time, or do you need help?".
Fine motor development – Writing numbers with proper proportion and strokes requires practice. There are specific programs that focus on these skills, like Handwriting Without Tears (specifically their Letters and Numbers for Me book, but you can also use more of a prescriptive approach and use a variety of strategies based on what your child/ student needs. Keep reading below for more ideas.
Hammond Bell Tutors are certified in The Barton Reading and Spelling System and other Orton-Gillingham based programs. We also have math specialists who work with multisensory math programs and use the CRA (concrete, representational, abstract) approach. If your child has difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, or math and you're looking for real results, Contact us today for a free consultation. Helping children with letter and number reversals is one of the many skills that we tackle in our programs.
Commonly Reversed Numbers
Some numbers are more prone to reversals than others. There is a variety of reasons for this but one of the most common is because of visual similarities (like how 6 and 9 mirror eachother, and how 2 and 5 have similar curves)
2 and 5
6 and 9
3 and backward 3 (Ƹ or E shape)
Writing 7 backwards
Orton-Gillingham Strategies and Tricks for Reversing Numbers
The Orton-Gillingham approach emphasizes multisensory learning—engaging visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile channels to strengthen memory and automaticity. These techniques are just as helpful for numbers as they are for letters.
Here are some tricks for reversing numbers and ways that parents can help:
1. Sky Writing and Air Tracing
Have your child use their whole arm to “write” the number in the air while saying its name aloud. Bigger movements strengthen memory for direction and formation. This is part of the multisensory technique that works so well for students because it makes stronger connections in the brain and promotes better retention and recall.
2. Tactile Tracing
Write numbers in sand, salt trays, or on textured surfaces. Encourage your child to trace the number with two fingers while saying the number aloud: “This is a six. It curves around and closes at the bottom.”
3. Number Stories
Create short, memorable stories to reinforce number direction. For example:
“6 starts with a circle, then adds a stick.”
“9 is a circle on top with a stick down.”
“The 2 goes around and down the slide.”Adding a verbal narrative helps children anchor the movement in their memory.
create fun stories to help students remember correct number formation
4. Highlight Left-to-Right Directionality
Always have children begin numbers on the left side of the page and move across. You can draw a small green dot (go) where the number starts and a red dot (stop) where it ends.
5. Multisensory Practice with Tools
Use number tiles or magnetic numbers for building and sorting.
Have children match numbers to dot cards, number lines, or real objects.
Practice writing with different materials—chalk, paintbrushes, or dry-erase markers.
6. Slow Down and Check
Teach your child to pause and self-check: “Does my 9 face the right way?” A quick glance at a number line can help reinforce accuracy. Another strategy is to go back with a highlighter and identify those "tricky numbers" as they check their work. You can make this fun by coordinating different colors with numbers. These tricks for reversing numbers can be very effective. If you still feel like you need more support, consider scheduling a free consultation to see how we can help!
Encouragement Goes a Long Way
If your child struggles with number reversals, remember that this is a developmental stage for many learners. Consistent, gentle practice—especially with multisensory, Orton-Gillingham-based strategies—can help children form numbers correctly and build confidence in math.
Celebrate small successes along the way. Over time, your child will develop stronger automaticity with number formation, making math less frustrating and more enjoyable.