Recognizing the numbers is different than understanding what the numbers represent. At first, both of our kids would just point randomly as they counted, not understanding that each time they pointed was considered 1 time or 1 object.
Activity 1: Familiarize them with counting objects
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE: None
DURATION: 1-3 minutes
MATERIALS USED:
Optional: Toys/objects to count, or a book with things to count
While pointing to the numbers while counting to 10 so Copycat could learn to recognize each number (Activity 1a for the numbers 1-10 instead of 1-20), I also counted the objects on every page to start getting him used to what the numbers represented (how many things there are).
1a) Let them watch you count objects.
First just have your child watch you count the objects as you point to each one while read a counting book or count toys.
1b) Help them count objects along with you.
They'll eventually get to the point where they want to count themselves, so you can start to help them point to each object while counting each object to get them to start understanding that each time they point / each object they point to is considered 1 time or 1 object.
Activity 2: Counting 1 to 5 objects
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE: Can count to 5
DURATION: 2-5 minutes
MATERIALS USED:
Optional: 5 toys/objects to count, or a book with things to count
Practice counting 1 to 5 things.
For this learning activity, choose a number between 1 and 5, and hold up that many fingers. Then ask them, "How many fingers are up"? They should count as they point to each finger, and realize that the last number they say is how many fingers there are. But if they count without pointing, have them try again with you helping them point and counting with them.
REPETITIONS: Ideally, they should try counting 3 times within about 5 minutes (3 times counting either to the same number if they're having trouble, or to 3 different numbers if they're starting to get it). To switch things up, you can use any toys or other objects other than fingers, or even have your child choose what to count, whatever works best for your child.
PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF ACTIVITY: A great game to practice counting 1-4 objects is Hi Ho Cherry O, which allows your child to count each cherry as they put it in the basket.
Activity 3: Counting 1 to 10 objects
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE: Can count to 10 and can count up to 5 objects
DURATION: 2-5 minutes
MATERIALS USED:
Optional: 10 toys/objects to count or a book with things to count
Once they can consistently count 5 fingers or objects, start asking them to count up to 10 fingers/objects.
3a) Practice counting up to 10 things.
Choose a number between 6-10, hold up that many fingers, and ask your child to count how many fingers you're holding up. Or ask them to count 6-10 objects/things.
REPETITIONS: Do this at least twice more with 2 different numbers so they count at least three different sets of fingers/objects in the 5 minute timeframe, sometimes throwing some numbers between 1-5 in to keep their confidence up.
3b) Quicker counting (optional)
Once your child can consistently count up to 10 things, to work on more efficient counting, first have them count all the fingers on one hand (having them count to 5). Then for the next number, choose a number bigger than 5, and encourage them to point at the fully open hand and immediately say "5". So they can start at 5, then continue on: 6, 7, ... etc.
I chose to do this as I knew that it would help later whenever he was old enough to do the Elephant Math activity, which gives him the option to count like this.
You can count up to 20 objects too if you like, but counting one-by-one above 10 is quite tedious, so I taught my toddlers to count more than 10 objects using the 5-minute activities in Counting to 1000+ series.
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