Everyday Objects Kids with Hypernumeracy Love & Can't Get Enough of

10+ everyday objects that kids with hypernumeracy love and can't get enough of.

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Kids with hypernumeracy don't just love numbers. They love anything that has numbers or let's them explore math, time, and patterns. So, you might notice that they gravitate towards a lot of everyday household objects with numbers on them instead of more traditional toys.

For instance, back when my son was a preschooler, we took calculators with us everywhere we went. There was always one in my purse. One in the diaper bag. One in his car seat. One or two in his hands. Calculators literally went with us everywhere.

Below you will find a list of common everyday objects or items that kids with hypernumeracy find enjoyable or enticing. Items that you might want to consider having on hand (if you don't already) or giving to them as a birthday or Christmas gift.

10+ Everyday Objects Hypernumeric Kids Can't Get Enough of

The following objects can spark so much joy for kids with hypernumeracy because they incorporate a lot of numbers or math related concepts. After all, numbers are everywhere and these kids notice them all.

You might already notice your child playing with some of the following objects, but you could also use this list to generate possible gift ideas, activity suggestions for play, or things you could make for your child. I've tried to include specific examples of things I've made over the years too. That way you have some inspiration for things you could try.

Here are some of the most popular favorites among hypernumeric kids:

1. Calculators

I've already mentioned how calculators went with us everywhere when my son was younger, but, even as a teenager, he always keeps a calculator nearby and handy. For a birthday one year, a good friend of mine gifted my son one of those accountant printing type calculators (something like this) and it was so well loved! By the way, if calculators are your child's thing, then you have to try these calculator word riddles as a way to practice WH questions. They're super fun!

2. Dice

My son has loved dice for as long as I can remember so we frequently buy him new colors and types of dice. You can even buy fractions dice, for instance, as well as alphabet dice or dice with pictures (e.g., Story Cubes). But, if your child loves numbers and math as much as mine does (which I'm assuming they do since you're here reading this!), then some good old regular dice or a set of D&D dice will likely be enticing enough.

3. Clocks, Watches, Stopwatches, Timers, & Countdowns

Perhaps you have a little one who loves time and clocks. Maybe they enjoy watching countdown videos on YouTube. If so, then you might want to consider having some spare clocks, watches, stopwatches, or timers on hand at home for your child to explore and play with. My son used to carry around this one monkey clock around with him everywhere he went. It was named Momo and it was supposed to be one of those "ready to wake clocks" and you can probably guess how well that worked, considering it went everywhere with us...haha.

4. Rulers

Whether it's a small ruler or a big yard stick, rulers can make for a great and fun toy for hypernumeric kids. Seriously, you can't go wrong with keeping some rulers on hand for your little one to play with. Plus, they have been a lifesaver tool for helping us with bath time anxiety (i.e., "let's add two inches of water to the tub and you can measure, okay?") and a fun addition to outdoor play (e.g., measuring leaves activity).

5. Cash Registers

While there are lots of great toy cash registers available to purchase, you might want to consider gifting a real cash register instead. Seriously, one of the best "toys" we ever had in our house was an old cash register that my parents had given us after they retired it from their storefront. You can see it featured here in one of our old playroom layouts.

I'm also going to mention here that many hypernumeric kids enjoy looking at receipts so if you do go with a real cash register, consider adding some register tape so they can print some receipts as well.

6. Tape Measures

You could try soft measuring tapes like the ones used for sewing, a retractable one, or pick up one of those paper ones when shopping at IKEA. Just a word of caution, though, some retractable tape measures can be sharp and slice fingers (ask me how I know...haha) so something to watch out for.

7. Calendars

You can also obviously find lots of numbers in calendars so it's probably not surprising that some hypernumeric kids really love to look at calendars. Perhaps you could try setting up some calendar themed activities like this gross motor calendar activity or this calendar hopscotch game. Or, you could buy them a calendar to hang in their room. I highly recommend a daily calendar. Perhaps a sudoku themed one to really lean into those numbers? At least, that's my son's current favorite at the moment.

8. Scoreboards

One of the most beloved toys I made my son was this felt scoreboard. He LOVED to keep track of scores all the time. Much like how he loves to watch sports tickers, scoreboards, stats, etc. whenever we watch basketball on TV. You might notice your little hypernumeric learner likes to watch scores and stats too so a scoreboard of their own might be a good idea.

9. Thermometers & Weather Displays/Apps

One of my son's other favorite non-toy toys is probably his digital weather station. We've upgraded it a few times over the years so he has a pretty fancy one now, but he loves to know the temperature, humidity, etc. all the time. So, having one in his bedroom has been helpful over the years. Prior to getting him one, he was always asking about the weather, temperature, etc. And he loved to look at thermostats when he was a preschooler! (Side note: curse whoever thought it would be a good idea to put a chair under a thermostat in the waiting room at the child development center. Of course, he would try to press buttons on it! You should have considered that...like come on...)

10. Scales

Scales can be fascinating to many hypernumeric kids, whether that's a kitchen scale or one to measure your body weight. So you might want to consider leaving a scale out for your child to use and weigh different objects since it can be a lot of fun for them.

11. Anything with Numbered Panels (e.g., elevators, telephones, keypads, ATMs)

Now, obviously, you're not going to go out and buy an ATM or an elevator here...However, you could give your child an old telephone to play with or create your own elevator using a giant cardboard box (it has numbered floor buttons too!). You could also make something like this telephone quiet book page with personalized phone book.

12. Speedometers/Odometers

You might notice your child commenting on your speed whenever you're driving. That's because they're always watching the speedometer and traffic signs. So, like the numbered panels thing above, you might have to get a bit creative in incorporating speedometers or odometers. For example, I made my boys a car sensory dashboard that had a speedometer and odometer incorporated (although those numbers nor the speed never changed, but he still liked it).

13. Step Counters or Fitness Trackers

I remember the first time we gave our boys each a simple pedometer to wear around the house and they thought it was the best thing ever, running around and counting their steps. So, if might be a great gift idea that you might not have considered before.

Some Reminders About Hypernumeric Play

Remember, for kids with hypernumeracy, their play might look quite different from their peers and that's okay. Numbers, patterns, and math are their playground. It's how they learn and explore the world around them. So, you might see them opting for things like rulers and timers over LEGO bricks and cars and that's 100% okay. You want to embrace the dice, calculators, and clocks. Don't discourage these interests.

Having said that, if you're interested in finding some more traditional toys or books that might appeal to those number-loving kids, then you'll definitely want to check out the complete hyperlexia gift guide here. You'll find lots of other great suggestions your child will love.

Potential Challenges for Kids with Hypernumeracy

A look at some common challenges that kids with hypernumeracy might face.

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It's no secret that kids with hypernumeracy have an amazing strength in math and numbers. Something that I have witnessed in my own son right from toddlerhood.

Yet, hypernumeracy comes with its own set of challenges too. Challenges that you need to be aware of as a parent or educator because they can have a tremendous impact on things like mental health, school performance, and advocacy.

By understanding, acknowledging, and addressing the following challenges and difficulties, you are better equipped to help and support your hypernumeric child as they grow.

This list kind of gives you an idea of what you might expect in the future. It can also give you some insight on how to craft individualized learning plans that make sense and to advocate for their needs since you'll have a deeper understanding of what challenges they might potentially face.

Things to Keep in Mind with Hypernumeracy

Before we dig into the list of some of the most common challenges faced by hypernumeric learners, it's important to remember that these kids will have spiky learning profiles and asynchronous development.

That means, there will be some skills that are really well developed, which, in this case, would be math, number, and pattern related. Meanwhile, other skills might be considered underdeveloped, delayed, or lagging, such as social skills, emotional development, executive functioning, language, or fine motor.

This asynchronous development can often contribute to - or further exacerbate - some of the challenges on the following list.

Also, don't forget that hypernumeracy co-occurs with hyperlexia (although, please note that not all hyperlexic learners are also hypernumeric). That means that some of the challenges and difficulties associated with hyperlexia can also impact their hypernumeracy. For instance, the comprehension challenges that are common in hyperlexia can make word problems difficult for hypernumeric learners, as we'll discuss in a bit.

Potential Challenges for Kids with Hypernumeracy

Now, please keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. Nor are these challenges necessarily exclusive to hypernumeracy itself.

Instead, this list gives you an idea of some of the most common potential challenges that a hypernumeric learner might face. You can then keep these challenges in mind when advocating, crafting IEPs, putting accommodations in place, and while supporting your learner at home or at school.

1. Lack of understanding or awareness of hypernumeracy

The first hurdle is the fact that so few people have even heard of hypernumeracy before. That can make it challenging to get your child the support they might need. It can also lead to misunderstanding of their learning profile, inappropriate accommodations, limited support, unrealistic expectations, and so on. Many of which we'll cover below as well.

The other issue here is that hypernumeracy isn't an official diagnosis or anything, which, depending on where you live and the specific criteria for your region, can make it challenging to get individual supports put in place at school.

2. Boredom in school

A common concern parents have for their hypernumeric and/or hyperlexic children is how to keep them challenged so that they don't get bored at school (see #3 here). After all, these kids often grasp math related concepts much faster than their peers.

Besides, just consider how advanced some of these kids are in terms of their math skills before they even enter kindergarten. Their peers are just starting to learn to count or recognize numbers while your child is doing things years above their age level like multiplying and dividing, working with fractions and decimals, skip counting, algebra, or whatever.

If kids with hypernumeracy are bored at school, it can lead to other issues such as underachievement despite their potential, behavioral issues, disengagement, and a lack of motivation for schoolwork.

Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to keep kids with hypernumeracy challenged.

3. Uneven academic profile or performance

We've already touched on how boredom can impact performance and lead to underachievement above, but it's also important to consider their spiky learning profile here. After all, their asynchronous development can lead to difficulty with non-math subjects. That means that these kids might perform far above grade level in math, but they might be average or below average in other subject areas.

Additionally, this uneven academic performance can sometimes mean they might not qualify for gifted programs.

4. Limited support &/or limited enrichment opportunities

Remember, most people haven't heard of hypernumeracy before. So, most people also aren't equipped to support these types of learners. As a result, hypernumeric kids might receive limited support or inappropriate (or even zero!) accommodations.

It's also worth noting that sometimes parents and educators focus too much on the hypernumeric child's math abilities. So much so that other areas where they might need support can get overlooked. It's also possible that their advanced math skills might mask any challenges or struggles that they're facing or even lead to people not believing their struggles.

Additionally, many hypernumeric learners may not qualify or get recommended for gifted programs due to their spiky learning profile and asynchronous development. (Ask me how we know about that...)

Finally, not all schools offer advanced math programs so it's not always possible to provide the enrichment that these kids need at school.

All in all, the lack of support and enrichment opportunities can result in unmet needs or frustration. Or, in some cases, it might mean that your child might not be given the chance to fully develop their strengths.

5. Difficulty with word problems

As I mentioned earlier, their co-occurring hyperlexia and the comprehension challenges that come along with that can make word problems difficult for those who also have hypernumeracy. Yes, even though their math skills are way advanced and they could easily solve the problem if it was written in a different way.

As you can imagine, this difficulty with word problems can lead to uneven academic performance, frustration, underestimation of their abilities, and/or self-esteem issues.

6. Pressure & high or unrealistic expectations

I've talked before about the effects of high expectations on hyperlexic learners and the same applies to hypernumeric learners as well. This pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, burnout, masking, a loss of interest in math, challenges being overlooked, and perfectionism, which we'll touch on next.

7. Perfectionism & a fear of failure

Many kids with hypernumeracy develop perfectionist tendencies, whether that's due to high expectations and pressure, the extreme focus that others put on their math abilities, and/or just their personality in general. They might hate the idea of making a mistake and put even more pressure on themselves to perform at a high level.

8. Labeling & misunderstanding

When you have a child with a natural talent for math and numbers, it's unsurprising that others might be quick to label them as geniuses or prodigies, which can sometimes lead to misconceptions about their abilities. These labels, in turn, can lead to some of the other challenges mentioned above, such as high expectations or limited support, but they can also lead to social isolation among peers (i.e., they know they're different and have different interests than their peers).

9. Difficulty with conceptual understanding

Hypernumeric kids might be able to excel at calculations and solve advanced equations, but they might struggle with the why or the reasoning behind the concepts. That means they might struggle to explain what certain things represent or apply their skills to everyday real-world situations. That might show up on tests or assignments where they're asked to show their work and they don't know how to do so.

10. Dysregulation or distress due to time, routine, or order

Unsurprisingly, kids with hypernumeracy often have a heightened sensitivity to numerical details and time. So things like clocks being out of sync, not starting an activity at the exact scheduled time, or someone miscounting or skipping a number out loud can lead to strong emotional reactions and distress. It can also lead to inflexibility or additional social challenges (e.g., struggling to participate in activities because the time or order feels incorrect, misunderstandings with those who don't understand their sensitivity to time or numbers).

A Quick Recap on Some of the Challenges that Kids with Hypernumeracy Might Face

Here's a quick summary of some of the potential challenges of hypernumeracy that were discussed above, as well as the impacts that they can have:

• Lack of understanding or awareness of hypernumeracy - Can lead to misunderstanding, limited support, unrealistic expectations, etc.

• Boredom in school - Can lead to underachievement, behavioral issues, disengagement, etc.

• Uneven academic profile or performance - Can mean a difficulty with non-math subjects and not qualifying for gifted programs

• Limited support and/or limited enrichment opportunities - Can result in unmet needs, frustration, failing to qualify for gifted programs, etc.

• Difficulty with word problems - Can lead to uneven academic performance, underestimation of their abilities, frustration, self-esteem issues, etc.

• Pressure and high or unrealistic expectations - Can lead to stress, anxiety, burnout, masking, perfectionism, etc.

• Perfectionism and a fear of failure - Can lead to even more pressure and stress

• Labeling and misunderstanding - Can lead to misconceptions about their abilities, high expectations, social isolation, etc.

• Difficulty with conceptual understanding - Can mean difficulties applying their skills to everyday situations

• Dysregulation or distress due to timing, routine, or order - Can lead to emotional dysregulation, inflexibility, and social challenges

Remember, their spiky learning profile and asynchronous development is at play here, contributing to many of these challenges. Of course, you also have to consider sensory needs, emotional development, and language skills as they can present their own set of challenges.

So, which of these potential challenges was most surprising to you?

10 Tips for Keeping Kids with Hypernumeracy Challenged

Wondering how to keep your hypernumeric child challenged? Here are some tips for keeping kids with hypernumeracy challenged.

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When you have a little one who teaches themselves math and understands mathematical concepts well at such a young age, you might start to wonder: how on Earth will you possibly keep them challenged? Especially when they start school.

Well, for parents of kids identified with hypernumeracy, it's a common concern. 

And for parents who maybe aren't great at math themselves, it might be an even bigger worry. How can you possibly keep up with their math skills if you don't understand the concepts yourself?

So whether you're good at math yourself or not, it's good to know what you can do to support your hypernumeric child's interests, stretch their minds, and keep them challenged as they grow.

After all, you know it's important to encourage a child's special interests and passions (see the benefits here).

So, let's take a look at some tips for keeping kids with hypernumeracy challenged. That way you have some ideas of how to support them, no matter what they're learning about or how old they are. 

Tips for Keeping Kids with Hypernumeracy Challenged

Please keep in mind that some of the following tips might be best for certain ages. Also, some of the tips or suggestions below might not be options depending on what's available to you locally.

1. Provide them with math related toys, games, and manipulatives

One of the easiest things you can do is offer your child lots of toys, games, and manipulatives that cater to their interests and abilities. 

That might be math puzzles, dice of various shapes and sizes, math games, pattern blocks or tangrams, dominoes, playing cards, snap cubes, geoboards, an abacus...there are lots of possibilities here!

Here are some suggestions:

• Prime Climb board game - Pretty sure I got my butt kicked every time I played this game...

• Pattern Blocks - Great for making colorful designs, learning geometry, and exploring patterns.

• SumBlox - I wish these existed when my son was a toddler! They are so cool!

You might also want to consider everyday tools here as well. After all, many tools, such as tape measures, measuring tapes, rulers, scales, clocks, stop watches, an old cash register, and calculators, are well-loved by hypernumeric kids. You would be amazed by the things these kids pick up and learn on their own, just by playing around with these types of items.

2. Enroll them in math clubs, camps, or challenges

A great way to keep a hypernumeric child challenged is to enroll them in a math club or similar. Not only will they get to build their skills and show off their abilities, but they'll also get to connect with peers with similar interests and foster social skills.

What is available, however, will obviously depend on where you live. For instance, some schools might offer math clubs or math challenges throughout the year, while others may not. 

You could also try checking websites such as Outschool for math classes as a substitute for a math club or camp.

3. Introduce math related books

When they're younger, you can opt for picture books and stories that teach and explore various mathematical concepts. Then there are books like Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook that are a great option for when they get older.

Obviously, you can also look for textbooks or workbooks as well. More on that in a later tip though.

4. Use educational websites, apps, and videos

There are lots of great websites, apps, YouTube videos, and even songs out there that you could use to keep your hypernumeric child engaged and challenged. For instance, one of my son's favorite websites for years has been the Coolmath Games website.

You can use these online resources to explore new concepts, learn new math tricks, and/or supplement what they are learning in school. 

You could even register for websites that would allow your child to explore advanced math topics at their own pace (e.g, Prodigy or Beast Academy). I mean, let's be honest, they're likely bored by what they are taught at school or aren't adequately challenged most of the time in the classroom.

Also, don't forget to explore websites and apps on related topics such as coding or programming. A website or app like Scratch, for example, is always a great option.

5. Support continuous learning both at home and at school

Similar to the tip above, you want to look for additional resources (besides online resources) that will help your child explore advanced math topics at their own pace. 

That might mean looking for workbooks or textbooks that are more at their level. I know that most people would be aghast at the mere mention of workbooks for a child, but when you're a parent of a hyperlexic and hypernumeric child, then you know that our kids often love workbooks.

You could also speak to your child's teacher and school staff about giving your child math assignments that are more at their level or challenge them further. They might be able to offer other supports in this area if you ask for them so be sure to advocate for your child's needs.

It might also be worth exploring related fields and concepts, such as coding and programming, to see if there are other options available that could challenge your child. For instance, maybe you could register them for coding camp or register for an ongoing program such as Code Ninjas.

Another option is to explore science or math museums where they can explore and engage with interactive exhibits. Obviously, there might not always be options near you, but it is definitely something to consider in case there are local options available.

Finally, engaging in conversations about math, googling their random questions (like what's 3 million in Roman numerals...), and encouraging them to go all in on their passions are all great ways to support their learning at home.

6. Adapt and modify math assignments, as needed, so it's at their level

One thing that we used to do a lot when my son was younger was modify math assignments. That way they were more at my son's level, while still practicing the main concepts of the worksheet or homework.

For instance, if they were working on doubling, we would pick larger or more complex numbers than just single digits. That way he's still working on the target skill or concept, but he's working more at his level.

7. Connect with a math mentor or tutor

Is math not your thing? Are you worried that you can't challenge your child enough? Then consider hiring a math mentor or tutor. They can challenge your child's abilities and perhaps offer guidance on how to best support them.

8. Provide them with logic puzzles and games

You can try activity books or even solo logic games. There are lots of different options. 

But logic puzzles and games are great for teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills, among other skills, of course. And they'll definitely keep hypernumeric kids challenged!

One of my son's favorites when he was really young was Rush Hour. We even had all the expansion/bonus decks to keep him busy. I was constantly blown away by how easily and quickly he could solve some of the challenges. However, there are lots of different logic games that you could try such as Kanoodle or Cat Stax. We went through a lot of them so it's hard to remember all of their names...

The other option is to get activity books filled with logic puzzles. Think sudoku, for instance. 

For the last few years, though, my son's favorite type of logic puzzles have been nonograms (which I still don't understand how to do haha). We highly recommend this book of nonograms or any by this author. My son loves them!

9. Involve them in everyday math applications

Include your child in everyday math applications or, at the very least, try to find ways to incorporate math concepts into everyday activities. 

You'll be teaching them valuable life skills at the same time.

Maybe that means giving them the tape measure and letting them measure things for a project. Or maybe you let them handle cash transactions at the store or measure ingredients for cooking or baking. Maybe you let them use a clear ruler to measure how much water is in the bathtub (we did this to help with some major bath time anxiety back in the day).

10. Encourage mathematical exploration

Reading, watching videos, and taking part in courses are great starting points. But, you can also offer hands-on activities, create math-related projects, and let them do some independent research on their favorite math related topics.

You'll want to follow your child's lead here. After all, this tip is all about giving them time to pursue their passions and explore their interests fully. 

So, if they want to learn more about Roman numerals, then learn about Roman numerals (and cover your entire driveway in them). They want to learn the first 250 digits of Pi? Encourage it and maybe even learn alongside them.

By the way, learning alongside your child is a great way to show interest in their interests, which is super important to do (read more here). 

A Quick Recap of the Tips

Obviously, this list of tips is by no means exhaustive. There are lots of different things you could do to keep your hypernumeric child challenged. But here's a quick recap of the tips that we covered above:

• Provide them with math related toys, games, and manipulates. Consider everyday tools such as measuring tapes and calculators here as well.

• Enroll them in math clubs, camps, and challenges to build their skills, showcase their abilities, and foster social skills development by connecting with like-minded peers.

• Introduce math related stories and books to explore various concepts.

• Use educational websites, apps, and videos to keep them engaged and explore various mathematical concepts. Be sure to also consider related fields or topics, such as coding.

• Support continuous learning both at home and at school. You may have to advocate for supports at school.

• Adapt and modify math assignments, as needed, so it's more at their level.

• Connect with a math mentor or tutor who can challenge your child further, especially if you feel you can't keep up.

• Provide them with logic puzzles and games.

• Involve them in everyday math applications. It'll teach them valuable life skills at the same time.

• Encourage mathematical exploration and let them fully explore their interests.

Hopefully, you found these tips for keeping kids with hypernumeracy challenged helpful!

Is There Something Like Hyperlexia, but for Numbers?

Is there something like hyperlexia, but for numbers? Below you will find out what hyperlexia for numbers is called.

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Have you wondered, "Is there something like hyperlexia, but for numbers?"

Yes, it's called hypernumeracy!

Is there a lot of info on this? Sadly, no. But there's likely more than the 63 search results I found back in November of 2014...at least I hope there is by now.

So what is hypernumeracy exactly? And what does it look like?

Well, think of it like hyperlexia, but with numbers and math being the main focus instead of letters and reading. 

Think of it as a precocious self-taught ability to count, do math, and recognize numbers. You can read more about the definition of hypernumeracy here.

With hypernumeracy, a child's first words might be numbers and they will have an intense fascination and passion for anything involving numbers or math. See other common traits of hypernumeracy here.

They'll learn to count and do math at an early age, well beyond what is expected for their age. (What do you mean not all preschoolers do exponents?!)

It's also worth nothing that these math and number skills are all self-taught. We didn't teach them. These skills and abilities appear to happen spontaneously, as if out of nowhere, just like the precocious reading ability does in hyperlexia. So these abilities catch a lot of parents by surprise. 

But it's important to note that hypernumeracy is so much more than counting or learning math early. It goes well beyond that, similar to how hyperlexia is more than just learning to read early.

See, kids with hypernumeracy are very serious about their numbers. They think in numbers and quantify pretty much everything. 

They will relate everything to numbers in some way. For instance, they might refer to grandma's house as "488 house" because that's what her house number is. Their favorite movie might be referred to by its runtime instead of its title. Those kinds of things. If you need more examples, you can take a closer look at hypernumeracy here.

For kids with hypernumeracy, play centers around numbers and their favorite toys are often things like calculators. And they'll turn everything into numbers if they can. 

Even their air writing might take the form of numbers and math equations instead of words and letters.

Literally everything is number focused for them.

Similar to how reading/decoding comes easy to those with hyperlexia, math comes easy to kids with hypernumeracy.

So if you've noticed that your hyperlexic child is gravitating more towards numbers and is picking up math on their own, it's possible that they might have hypernumeracy as well.

Will all hyperlexic kids have hypernumeracy as well? Nope. 

Some hyperlexic kids have dyscalculia and find math and numbers to be a big challenge. And some hyperlexic kids might just have a special interest in numbers and that's it. Then there are others who might have zero interest in numbers or math.

So think of hypernumeracy as an add-on. Another practical label to describe how your child thinks and learns. There will be some hyperlexic kids who have this add-on, but not all will. 

A Closer Look at Hypernumeracy

A closer look at what hypernumeracy is with specific examples of what hypernumeracy looks like in day-to-day life.

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The other morning I woke up with the bones of this blog post already written. The sentences just flowed freely in my mind and I was eager to sit down and write it all out. It all came together quite quickly.

My goal was to show how hypernumeracy is so much more than a precocious self-taught ability to do math and understand numbers (see the full definition of it here). 

Essentially, I wanted to dive deeper than a list of hypernumeracy traits and capture the true essence of what hypernumeracy looks like, at least for my son.

It was my hope to try and paint a picture of just how interwoven numbers and math are with how my son learns and views the world. How it sparks joy for him. How that proclivity and passion is there no matter what age and stage he's at. 

You'll see glimpses of what hypernumeracy is like in the toddler years, as he starts school, and how he grows. But this post doesn't go in any particular order, following him as he grows. No, instead it's bouncing around from different ages and stages because that's how the memories and ideas came to me as I wrote and I wanted to preserve that sense of randomness and unpredictability.

You may see your own story with your child reflected in these words.

So here's what hypernumeracy is...(at least, to us)

Hypernumeracy is...

Hypernumeracy is being more interested in the number of pages or the number of chapters than the book itself. "Look mom, this book has 87 chapters!"

It's making note of the speed limit from the back seat and informing the driver (aka me) that they're speeding.

It's noticing the depth of the swimming pool and comparing it to the depths of other pools you've been to. Of course, it's also about filing this information away for a later date (even years later!) so you can keep a running tally on which pool is the deepest.

Hypernumeracy is referring to movies by their runtime, not their title. People's houses - including your own! - by their house number (e.g., 845 rather than home). The car by the numbers in the license plate (e.g. 625 car). Homework in the amount of data in KB or MB. Energy levels in percentage of battery life. Everything is thought of in numbers.

It's pointing out that all four seasons have exactly six letters. Spring, check. Summer, check, Autumn, check. Winter, check. Mind blown, check.

It's drawing Roman numerals in chalk on the driveway at age five until the entire surface is covered. It's googling what three million is in Roman numerals because they want to know and you have zero clue.

It's art that stands out amongst those from their peers because it consists entirely of numbers. You'll always know which one is your child's because it's unique. And it's always 100% authentic to them, not some cookie cutter reproduction. 

It's about taking a fresh notebook, writing a page number in the bottom corner of every single page, and then never having an interest in the notebook again.

It's about the need to write, draw, or make numbers everywhere they go and in everything they touch. Sometimes they might spell the number word out in other languages too.

It's carrying calculators everywhere you go. The diaper bag. The car seat. Your coat pocket. Your purse. The cart in the grocery store. By the way, it's the perfect birthday gift and stocking stuffer, I might add. And, honestly, calculators are still a favorite, even as a teenager.

It's about making number pancakes for breakfast, asking what number to make, and them telling you, "One sextillion. It has 21 zeros."

Hypernumeracy is questioning how your three year old is already skip counting, exploring fractions, and multiplying decimals all on their own. It's also wondering how on earth you're going to possibly keep up.

It's spending the first day of kindergarten writing large number words on the back of the schoolwork they were supposed to be doing. And it's grouping the counting bears into groups of 10 and quickly informing the teacher there are 100 bears - I informed her that she better not lose any now because he will know! It's about the teacher quickly realizing that you weren't making things up when you told them about your child's math abilities...

It is also constantly wondering how you're going to keep them challenged in school. It's teachers commenting on their exceptional math abilities. It's constantly exceeding expectations in math on every single report card. 

It's teacher after teacher trying to supply them with more difficult work, only for them to complete it in a matter of minutes with ease. It's solving all the bonus questions and averaging above 100% because of said bonus questions. It's them pointing out that the teacher made a mistake in their calculation or used the wrong formula...

It's a fascination with nutrition labels, timers, clocks, scores. For others, it could be complex shapes, sports stats, or dates.

It's as if they're in sync with clocks. At least, that's how I can describe my son. While there might not be a clock in sight, my son can still tell you what time it is, almost exactly to the minute. He just knows what time it is.

Hypernumeracy is about finding numbers wherever you go and quantifying absolutely everything. It's living and breathing numbers and math. It's included in everything that they do.

It's spending their days as a toddler counting literally everything they can.

It's falling asleep clutching their favorite number. 

It's a number themed book you've read so many times that the book is basically falling apart. But that's okay, you have it memorized anyway and so do they.

It's using math and counting as a way to regulate when overwhelmed.

It's playing with dice and number tiles or toys. Or, when there aren't any number toys available, it's turning other toys into numbers.

It's attempting to play with the thermostat in the waiting room that they can easily reach - because for some reason there's a couch right below it - instead of playing with the plethora of toys available to them.

It's doing sudoku puzzles and nonograms. It's doing connect the dot books for adults because the ones for kids don't use big enough numbers for their liking.

It's seeing fractions, not slices of a toy pizza during their autism assessment (that particular memory makes me chuckle all these years later).

The point is that hypernumeracy is an inherent part of who they are and how they see, experience, and interpret the world around them. It's an essential part of what lights them up and brings them joy.

It's a love story between a precocious child and their proclivity and passion for numbers and math. 

A beautiful story that I am honored to watch unfold.

Common Traits of Hypernumeracy

A look at some common characteristics, signs, or traits of hypernumeracy.

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For many hyperlexic kids, numbers and math quickly overtake letters and reading to become the main passion or interest. That was the case for my son. And it seems to be the case for a lot of other hyperlexic kids.

Well, that's where hypernumeracy comes in. 

It's something my son was identified with during his autism assessment back in November 2014, but could I find much info on it? Nope. There were 63 search results on Google that day I first googled it. Sixty-three!

When talking about hypernumeracy, I have to draw on personal experience, the stories that families have shared with me over the years, and the hyperlexia research as best I can. Because, unfortunately, there isn't any information or research to work with on this particular topic.

Below you will find a list of common traits of hypernumeracy to give you a better understanding of what hypernumeracy is and what it looks like. I've also sprinkled in some stories from our own life as examples.

The Most Common Traits of Hypernumeracy

Now, before we dig in, please keep in mind that this list of traits are based on our personal experience and those that have been shared with me over the years by other families. 

They are also based on and adapted from common hyperlexic traits since hyperlexia and hypernumeracy are related and go hand-in-hand. Although, please note that not all hyperlexic kids will have hypernumeracy. 

Also, remember that hypernumeracy isn't an official diagnosis or anything. It's not like you'll find it in the DSM. There also isn't a lot written about it. That means no official list of characteristics can be easily found.

**So please remember that this list of traits of hypernumeracy is by no means official. Nor should it be used to "diagnose" hypernumeracy.**

1. Learn to identify and recognize numbers early

First things first, kids with hypernumeracy learn to identify and recognize numbers quite early. Often in or around the same time that hyperlexic kids learn to identify and recognize letters. So usually that is somewhere between 18-24 months of age.

Usually kids with hypernumeracy learn numbers concurrently with letters. However, more often than not these kids start off with letters and then quickly move to numbers.

2. First words might be numbers

Don't be surprised if their first words are numbers, similar to how the first words for many hyperlexic kids are letters (see early signs of hyperlexia here). 

You might also notice that their vocabulary may continue to be dominated by number or math related words going forward.

3. Intense fascination with numbers and math

For hyperlexic kids, it's all about letters. But, for kids with hypernumeracy, numbers and math quickly become their everything. This interest in numbers quickly overtakes their interest in letters and is very intense.

Kids with hypernumeracy seek out numbers everywhere, much like hyperlexic kids do with print and written words. 

They are drawn to anything involving numbers and math such as clocks, timers, thermostats, the depth of the swimming pool, the speed you are driving (and the fact that you're going over the speed limit..), etc. 

They might point out numbers everywhere they go. For instance, did you know that lamp posts have numbers? I did not until my son pointed them out.

They might be more interested in the number of pages or chapters than the book itself. Or maybe they'll add page numbers to each page in blank notebooks instead of filling the page with drawings or stories like their peers might do.

It's just all about numbers for them 24/7.

As we'll touch on in the next couple of sections, their play centers around numbers, they think in terms of numbers, they quantify EVERYTHING, and their preferred toys are usually number or math related. And probably none of this is surprising to you.

4. Their play centers around numbers and math

Similar to how hyperlexic kids spend hours playing with letter toys, singing the ABCs, and reading, kids with hypernumeracy opt for playing with numbers, counting, writing numbers or math equations, studying clocks, playing with calculators, and so on. 

Basically, if it involves numbers, they'll be drawn to it. Seriously, who's idea was it to put a chair under a thermostat in the waiting room of the childhood development center? Because I'd like to have a word with them...

Anyway, kids with hypernumeracy will want to spend hours absorbed in their number play. It's comforting and regulating for them, much like letters are for hyperlexic kids.

As they get older, their play might involve writing numbers with chalk, doing dot-to-dots, playing sudoku, playing with dice, doing math equations or workbooks for fun, and so on. As a teenager, for example, my son spends hours doing nonograms, which are logic puzzles involving numbers.

5. Prefer number and math related toys

Number magnets, number puzzles, calculators, rulers, measuring tapes, dice, telephones...anything with numbers and they'll love it!

For instance, my son's favorite thing to play with as a toddler were these giant foam numbers that I made him. He would literally spend hours counting up and down with them, sometimes one by one, but usually skip counting by different numbers. He'd make math equations with them and so on.

We also carried calculators (yes, plural!) with us everywhere we went because calculators were another favorite toy for him. They are still one of his favorite possessions even as a teenager.

6. Think in numbers and quantify everything

To me, this trait is the most important one. Literally everything is thought about in terms of numbers, math, or measurement. They attempt to quantify everything.

For instance, they might refer to movies by their run times instead of their titles. They might refer to grandma's house as "488 house" because that's grandma's house number. They might refer to your car by the license plate number. They might point out that all four seasons have exactly 6 letters in them (spring, summer, autumn, winter). I could go on and on with examples...

7. Learn to count and do math early

I mentioned the early counting trait on the list of signs of hyperlexia in toddlers and babies. By the way, we're not talking about counting to ten here. We're talking large numbers and skip counting early. Stuff you don't expect a two year old to do.

However, kids with hypernumeracy go a step further than just learning to count. They start to do math early as well, which can range in abilities from multiplying/dividing, exploring fractions, learning about prime numbers, exploring complex shapes, and more.

The point here is that they'll count and do math well beyond what is expected for their age. And when I say well beyond, I mean well beyond...

Similar to hyperlexia where the advanced reading skills are apparent before age 5, the precocious math skills are apparent quite early in kids with hypernumeracy as well. You might notice these advanced skills at age 5 or 4 or 3 or 2...For us, it was around age two.

But most importantly, these skills are all self-taught, which leads me to my next point.

8. It's all self-taught

This trait is also an important one. We didn't drill them with flashcards or teach them how to do math. These kids simply pick up on it all on their own. It's all self-taught, just like the precocious reading ability in hyperlexia is. Math just comes easy to them.

A Summary of Hypernumeracy Traits

Whether you're a skim reader or you read everything above, here's a quick recap of all the unofficial traits of hypernumeracy that were discussed above:

• They learn to identify and recognize numbers early

• Their first words might be numbers

• They have an intense fascination with numbers and math

• Their play centers around numbers and math

• They prefer number and math related toys

• They think in numbers and quantify everything

• They learn to count and do math early

• It's all self-taught