Counting through everyday play
Practical ways to explore small quantities with your child, from touching each object once to matching a group with a number card.
Read the guide ↗Ideas to try together
Counting and early maths
Help children connect amounts, number words and written numerals through practical games and original printable resources. Saying a number, recognising its written form and counting a group are different tasks. Use small, visible examples to connect them.
Guides to explore
Before you begin
Is saying number words the same as counting objects?
Reciting number words is one task. Counting a group also involves matching one word to each object and understanding the final word as the total. Start with a small group that you can move or touch.
How can I make an activity easier without starting over?
Reduce the amount, space objects apart or keep a matching example nearby. Change one demand at a time. A numeral card is optional when the immediate aim is understanding an amount.