I’ve heard my child needs to be able to count by the time they enter Kindergarten. Help! Where do I begin?
It is true, teachers do appreciate when children enter Kindergarten with some counting ability, but it’s okay if it’s not perfect! Maybe they miss some numbers, maybe they only make it to five, maybe they only make it to ten, but the concept of counting is a good way to start.
How can I help my child learn how to count?
Count, Count, Count!
Ways to practice:
- count things you see
- count snacks, count toys, count flowers outside, etc.
- count starting at different numbers, for example start at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or start at 3, 4, 5 ,6
Even if your child is not actually counting, model how to count. Children are always listening and absorbing information.
Additionally, there are a ton of fun counting songs on YouTube you can try out with your child! One of my favorite channels for counting is Jack Hartmann.
Counting Groups of Objects
An important skill when learning how to count, is being able to count objects in a group and understanding one to one number correspondence.
What does this mean? Children need to understand that a number represents a certain quantity or amount. Children often learn how to count without having any understanding of one to one number correspondence. They may be able to count, but they do not understand the meaning or values of numbers. For example, children need to count five objects and understand the last number they said, five, is the number of objects in the group.
Ways to practice:
- count snacks, count toys etc.
- elaborate that the last number they said is how many there are of that object
Counting Activities
Pouch Top Number Correspondence
Does your child love to eat pouches? Save those pouch tops! Pouch tops are great for working on counting and numbers. Download my FREE Numbers 1-20 Cards and use them with your child!
Pick out just a few number cards at a time to work on with your child. Each card has a ten frame on it that corresponds with the number. Count how many dots are in the ten frame with your child. Then have your child count out the number of pouch tops that will match that number.
You don’t have to use pouch tops, you can use just about anything! Toy cars, Legos goldfish, jellybeans, you name it! Get creative and use something that excites your child to motivate them to count.
Download my free Numbers 1-20 cards below:
Gumball Counting
Does your child enjoy using play doh? Try out this fun number activity! You can find this activity here.
Have your child roll play doh into balls to form the correct number of gumballs for the given gumball machine card. You may choose to display the numbered card or the gumball in the machine cards, or both!
Ordering Numbers
Most children can identify numbers 0-10 when they are in order, but they don’t always know that the symbol they are pointing to is that number.
Try a DIY Velcro ordered number puzzle!
This is a self correcting puzzle. If the numbers are out of order the picture won’t look right and children can figure out how to fix it!
Scramble up the numbered puzzle strips and make sure your child knows what the numbers are when they are out of order as well.
You can find this numbered puzzle and more by clicking here.
Happy counting!
