Numbers 4, 5, and 6 — God's Creation Days

"God is not a God of disorder but of peace." — 1 Corinthians 14:33

Review: What We Know

Yesterday we learned the numbers 1, 2, and 3. Let us count together: one, two, three! Wonderful! Now we are going to keep going. After 3 comes 4, then 5, then 6. Let us learn about them.

The Number 4

Hold up four fingers. Count them with me: one, two, three, four!

On Day 4 of creation, God made the sun, the moon, and all the stars (Genesis 1:14-19). He put lights in the sky to help us know when it is day and when it is night. The sun lights up the day, the moon shines at night, and the stars twinkle above us.

Look at a table. How many legs does it have? Count them: one, two, three, four! A table has 4 legs. A dog has 4 legs too. A chair has 4 legs. God made many things with four parts.

Put 4 blocks on the table. Touch each one as you count: "One, two, three, four." Do not skip any! Do not count one twice!

The numeral 4 looks like this: draw a line down, then a line across, then another line down. It has straight lines and a corner.

The Number 5

Hold up five fingers — one whole hand! Count them: one, two, three, four, five!

On Day 5, God made all the fish in the sea and all the birds in the sky (Genesis 1:20-23). Imagine colorful fish swimming and beautiful birds flying — God made them all on Day 5!

You have 5 fingers on each hand. You have 5 toes on each foot. God designed your body with groups of five. Hold up one hand and wiggle all five fingers. God made each one!

Put 5 blocks on the table. Count them by touching each one: "One, two, three, four, five." Now try arranging them in a line. Now try making a different shape with them — maybe a cross or a circle.

The numeral 5 starts with a line down, then a curve at the bottom, and a hat on top. It looks a bit like a chair facing left.

The Number 6

Hold up six fingers — all of one hand plus one more finger from the other hand. Count them: one, two, three, four, five, six!

Day 6 was the most special creation day! On this day, God made all the land animals — cows, horses, elephants, puppies, kittens, and every creature that walks on the ground. And then God did the most wonderful thing of all: He made people! He made Adam and Eve in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27).

God saw everything He had made and said it was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Not just good — very good! That is because people are the most special part of creation.

Put 6 blocks on the table. Touch each one carefully as you count: "One, two, three, four, five, six." That is a lot of blocks! Arrange them in two rows of three. See how neat and orderly that looks?

The numeral 6 starts at the top, curves down and around like a curly tail. It looks a little like a backwards swirl.

Counting Practice

Let us practice all six numbers! Get some small objects — cereal pieces, buttons, or blocks.

1. Make a group of 4. Count them out loud.
2. Make a group of 5. Count them out loud.
3. Make a group of 6. Count them out loud.
4. Now make groups of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 all at once!

Here is a fun game. Close your eyes while someone puts some objects on the table (between 1 and 6). Open your eyes and count them!

Writing Practice

Let us trace each numeral in the air:

• 4: Line down, line across, line down. It has corners!
• 5: Line down, belly curve, hat on top.
• 6: Start at top, swirl down and around.

Now write each number on paper five times. Say the number out loud as you write it.

Creation Days Count!

Let us put our creation days together:

• Day 1: God made light
• Day 2: God made the sky
• Day 3: God made land and plants
• Day 4: God made sun, moon, and stars
• Day 5: God made fish and birds
• Day 6: God made animals and people

See how God counted His days? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — in perfect order! God is the greatest counter of all!

``` God's Creation Days:

Day 1: Light Day 2: Sky Day 3: Land

• ~~~ /\ /\

/|\ / ~ \ / V \ | ~~~~~~~ =========

Day 4: Stars Day 5: Fish Day 6: People

• . * ><> O

. . ><> /|\

• . * ><> / \

```

A Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Days 4, 5, and 6 of creation. Thank You for the sun, moon, and stars. Thank You for fish and birds. Thank You most of all for making people in Your image. Help me learn to count 4, 5, and 6 today. Amen.