Before, After and Between Numbers Worksheet (Free Printable PDF)

What’s in the PDF

• Page 1 (Level 1, easier): It has six “what comes before”, six “what comes after” and six “what comes between” questions within 1 to 10.
• Page 2 (Level 2, harder): It has the same three activities with numbers up to 20, including tricky changes such as 9 to 10 and 19 to 20.
• Page 3: an answer key for both levels.

Print one level at a time. If Level 1 feels easy, move straight on to Level 2.

How to teach before, after, between

“Before” means one less, “after” means one more, and “between” is the number in the middle. A number line makes these words concrete. Point to 6 and ask which number is just before it, then which is just after. For “between”, cover the middle number of three and ask what is hiding. Saying the three numbers in order helps children hear the answer.

What to watch for

“Before” can confuse children because we read from left to right. Some give the number after instead. Use a number line and point left for before, right for after. Crossing a ten (9, 10, 11) is a common sticking point, so give it extra practice.

Game: Who is my neighbour?

Call out a number and ask for its two neighbours: “Fifteen!” “Fourteen and sixteen!” Make it harder by asking only for the number before, or by using numbers up to 30.

Everyday practice

Queues, page numbers and house numbers are great for this. “We are on page 12. What page comes next?” or “Our house is 8. Who lives next door?” Real examples make the words stick.

Questions to ask while they work

• Which number comes just before 10?
• What is between 16 and 18?
• Show me before and after on the number line.

Practise next

Try missing numbers, more or less, subtraction within 10. Use the number chart 1 to 20 as a number line.