December 23, 2025
3 min. read
For Class 1 children, numbers are more than written symbols; they represent ideas that can grow bigger or become smaller.
Children understand these ideas best when they see many examples, listen to simple explanations, and practise step by step without pressure.
If your child is new to this topic, it helps first to understand what ascending and descending order in maths mean.
In this guide, you’ll find clear examples, guided practice, real-life word problems, and easy home practice tips, all specially designed to support young learners in building strong number sense.
Why Examples Matter So Much in Class 1
Examples work best when children already know the basic idea of number ordering in Class 1.
At this age, children learn by:
- seeing patterns again and again
- comparing small groups of numbers
- practising in short, stress-free steps
Rules alone are not enough. Examples help children understand:
- Where to start
- Which direction to move
- How numbers change
Understanding Ascending Order Through Examples
Ascending order means arranging numbers from smallest to largest.
These examples follow the same rules for ordering numbers in Class 1, explained step by step.
You can explain it as:
- numbers going up
- counting forward
- small to big
Ascending Order: Numbers 1–10 (Beginner Level)
Start with very small numbers so children feel confident.
Saying numbers aloud while practising helps build strong number sense.
- 3, 1, 5 → 1, 3, 5
- 2, 6, 4 → 2, 4, 6
- 7, 1, 9 → 1, 7, 9
- 5, 8, 2 → 2, 5, 8
Ask children:
“Which number is the smallest?”
“Which one comes next?”
Ascending Order: 4-Number Practice (Still Easy)
- 4, 1, 7, 3 → 1, 3, 4, 7
- 9, 2, 6, 5 → 2, 5, 6, 9
Encourage children to say numbers aloud as they arrange them.
Ascending Order: Numbers 5–15 (Next Step)
Once 1–10 is comfortable, move slightly higher.
- 5, 7, 10 → 5, 7, 10
- 8, 12, 6 → 6, 8, 12
- 11, 9, 14 → 9, 11, 14
- 15, 7, 10 → 7, 10, 15
Four-number examples:
- 6, 13, 9, 5 → 5, 6, 9, 13
- 12, 8, 15, 10 → 8, 10, 12, 15
Understanding Descending Order Through Examples
Descending order means arranging numbers from biggest to smallest.
Descending order becomes easier when children practise backward counting, as shown in simple teaching methods.
You can explain it as:
- numbers going down
- counting backward
- big to small
Descending Order: Numbers 10–1
These examples teach children to start with the biggest number.
- 10, 7, 4 → 10, 7, 4
- 9, 3, 6 → 9, 6, 3
- 8, 5, 2 → 8, 5, 2
- 7, 1, 4 → 7, 4, 1
Ask:
“Which number is the biggest?”
“Which one comes next?”
Descending Order: 4-Number Practice
- 9, 2, 6, 4 → 9, 6, 4, 2
- 10, 3, 7, 5 → 10, 7, 5, 3
Descending Order: Numbers 20–10 (Confidence Building)
- 20, 15, 11 → 20, 15, 11
- 18, 12, 16 → 18, 16, 12
- 19, 13, 17 → 19, 17, 13
Four-number examples:
- 20, 14, 18, 10 → 20, 18, 14, 10
- 19, 16, 12, 15 → 19, 16, 15, 12
Mixed Practice: Think Before You Order
Mixed practice teaches children to identify the order first.
Mixed practice helps children clearly see the difference between ascending and descending order.
Identify the Order
- 2, 5, 7 → Ascending
- 9, 6, 3 → Descending
- 4, 8, 12 → Ascending
- 15, 12, 9 → Descending
- 3, 3, 5, 7 → Ascending
- 10, 8, 8, 5 → Descending
Word Problems: Making Numbers Feel Real
Word problems help children connect numbers to daily life.
Real-life word problems strengthen understanding and prepare children for number lines in Class 1 maths.
Toy Cars
Riya has 2 toy cars, her brother has 5, and her cousin has 8.
Arrange the numbers in ascending order.
Answer: 2, 5, 8
Balloons
A shopkeeper has 10 red balloons, 7 blue balloons, and 4 green balloons.
Arrange the numbers in descending order.
Answer: 10, 7, 4
Ages
Riya is 7 years old, Tina is 5, and Karan is 9.
Arrange their ages in descending order.
Answer: 9, 7, 5
Worksheet-Style Practice (Ready to Use)
Fill in the Blanks
- 2, 4, ___, 8 (ascending) → 6
- 10, 9, ___, 7 (descending) → 8
- ___, 6, 8, 9 (ascending) → 5
- 15, ___, 11, 10 (descending) → 12
Arrange the Numbers
Ascending
- 4, 1, 7 → 1, 4, 7
- 9, 3, 6 → 3, 6, 9
Descending
- 2, 8, 5 → 8, 5, 2
- 14, 10, 18 → 18, 14, 10
Make Preparing for Math Olympiad Simple!
Conclusion
For Class 1 children, repeated examples are the key to mastering ascending and descending order.
When children practise regularly with small numbers, real-life problems, and simple worksheets, they stop guessing and start thinking confidently.
With gentle guidance and daily practice, number ordering becomes natural and enjoyable.
