Practise, practise, practise. Sometimes there’s just no way around it. So it is with counting. Thankfully there are so many different ways to practise counting. Counting using a variety of materials, in different ways. Sometimes counting in large groups; other times in small groups; and of course one-on-one with a child.

Here’s a collection of fun quick ways to count. A vast majority of these activities focus on counting, not learning numeral identification. While counting and numeral identification can work well together in some activities, numeral identification is also a skill in its’ own right, (and deserves a collection of its’ own).

Counting in Large Groups

1. Verbal counting, forwards to 5, 10 or 20 then backwards from 5, 10 or 20.
2. Rhythmic counting (use different rhythms when counting).
3. Circle counting (stand in a circle, as each child counts, they sit down).
4. Pick a number, and ask the class to find a collection of that number of items to show everyone else.
5. “Zap” counting game. Arrange children so that they are standing in a circle. Children to count forwards from 0 up to 10. Each child calls out one number in the sequence. When the number sequence reaches 10, the student who should say “ten” calls out “zap!” and sits down. Continue the activity with the students commencing the forward count from 1 again. This process continues until one student remains standing. This game can then be extended to count forwards from 0 to 20 or 30, or backwards from 10 or 20.
6. Call out a number and ask the class to form groups of that number and sit as a group. Any children left standing can say the next number.
7. Class counting drill with a ball. At the front of the class, have a pair of students stand back-to back with each other and pass a ball between them, over their heads. They have to do 20 passes. The class counts each pass to 20. Another variation: have a pair of students stand back-to back with each other and pass a ball between them, over their heads and under their legs.
8. Class counting drill with physical activities. At the front of the class, have a student do 20 chair pushups; another student do 20 star jumps. The class counts each pushup / jump, to 20.
9. Object hunt. Prepare pictures of objects in a room. Show children the picture and pick one child to point to and walk toward the object. Count the number of steps it takes to walk to the object.
10. Musical chairs. Play traditional game of musical chairs. Guide children and count the number of chairs in the circle before each round. Remove a chair after every few rounds. Keep the number of chairs in the teens to practise counting numbers in the teens.
11. Play Simon Says, with a magic number. Whatever the magic number is, they would have to do everything Simon says, that many times (e.g. if 5 was the magic number, they would have to do everything five times).
12. Metronome counting.
13. Pendulum painting. Go outside and do some pendulum painting. Count how many times the pendulum swings. I love Teach Preschool’s pendulum painting in preschool.
14. What’s the Time Mr. Wolf? via Nurture Store
15. Use songs to practise counting. Check out this collection over at Picklebums.

Counting in Small Groups

1. Jump Rope In groups of five children. Two hold a skipping rope and wriggle it on the floor while the others jump over the ‘snake’. Group counts 20 jumps over the snake before swapping the two holding the skipping rope.
2. Handful of Buttons.
3. Counting Superheroes and Villains.
4. Roll and Fill Counting Game via A Mommy’s Adventures.
5. Counting on the Light Box via And Next Comes L.
6. Bug Hunt via Artsy Momma.
7. Counting Snowballs via Fun-A-Day!
8. Count the polka dots in Polka Dot Soup via Fun at Home with Kids.
9. DIY Board Game via Octavia and Vicky.
10. Hot Chocolate Math with free printable via The Measured Mom

Counting Individually

1. Quick random number game.
2. Counting Dinosaurs with Free Printable.
3. Counting with Egg Cartons.
4. Counting Tiny Teddies.
5. Box Play Counting,
6. Popsicle Stick Creations. Present a whole bunch of popsicle sticks to the child. Ask them to count out five (or ten) popsicle sticks and then create a picture or pattern with the five (or ten) popsicle sticks. Continue until the whole bunch of popsicle sticks are finished.
7. Lego/Duplo/MegaBlock Madness. As with Popsicle stick creations, but with Lego/Duplo/MegaBlocks.
8. Online counting games. E.g. Help Lola from Charlie and Lola count her germs.
9. Flower Petal Counting & Math Printable via 3 Dinosaurs.
10. Giant Holiday Dot-to-Dot Counting Game by Play Learn Love at B-Inspired Mama.
11. Octopus math File Folder Game via Crayon Freckles.
12. Count the beads as you make a Beaded Wreath Ornament via Happy Hooligans.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Counting: 37 Fun Ways To Count by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

Our last math game, teen bingo, develops early numeral identification skills. My kids love playing it to no end, (I think the stamps have something to do with it).

Today we will continue with another math game, snap plus one. This counting and numeral identification game is great for children who know how to count to ten or beyond, but always begin at one when they count. They may also also be at the point where they are learning to add two collections of items.

This game of snap plus one, is a great way to introduce children to a more efficient strategy for solving number problems.

Instead of always beginning at one when counting, children who can “count-on”, can count on from any given number. When solving number problems, the ability to count on is much more efficient than counting from one.

Snap Plus One: Counting & Numeral Identification:

Focus: Math Number, Counting & Numeral Identification

Desired Results: Say the number word just after a given number in the range of one to ten.

Pre-Test: Ask a child to say the number word just after a given number word in the range of one to ten. Can they say the correct number word after a given number, without beginning at one when they count?

Evidence of Learning: A child is able to say the number word just after a given number word in the range one to ten without beginning at one.

When working with young children, remember to:

• Show them how to do the task before expecting them to complete the task independently.
• Limit the range of numbers being presented when introducing a new mathematical idea.
• Provide children with a variety of math games, which repeat the same mathematical understanding (e.g. counting, numeral identification, subitising, etc). To support this, I will be sharing a variety of counting games, numeral identification games, subitising games, etc. as part of this Math Games series.

Teaching & Learning Experiences:

You will need a deck of playing cards. Remove all the picture cards. Ace refers to one in this game.

Just like snap, cards are dealt face down to all the players. Each player takes turns to turn one card from their pile over and places this in the middle. However, instead of slapping the pile of cards and saying snap when two cards match, in this game of snap plus one, the pile of cards are snapped only when the new card is one more than the previous card.

For example if 5 is placed in the middle and the new card placed on top is 6, players may slap the pile. The quickest player to slap the pile and say snap picks up all the cards.

When any player runs out of cards, the game is over. The player with the most cards, is the winner.

Possible Variations to the Game:

• For children who are working on their number recognition, play the standard game of snap where they have to match the same cards.
• To extend this game, play Snap +/- 1, or Snap +/- 2

After more math games? Browse through our collection of math games.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Math Game: Snap Plus One by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
Our last early math game, counting with egg cartons, focused on counting and developing a one-to-one correspondence. Children learn best when presented with a variety of games that reinforce the same mathematical concept. Today we will continue with another math game that focuses on counting and numeral identification.

 
This math game, Mummy and Baby Dinosaurs is a simpler version of our numerals card and dice game. This mummy and baby dinosaurs game is suitable for children who are unable to identify and name all numerals 1-10. This early math game is great for pairs of children or individuals. To support effective peer tutoring, pair a child with a child who is more confident with counting and numeral identification.

Math Game: {Numeral Identification & Counting} Dinosaurs

 
Focus: Math Number, Numeral Identification & Counting

 
Desired Results:

• (A) Name and identify numerals 1-10;
• (B) Use the corresponding numeral for a set of objects.

Pre-Test:

• (A) Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Ask the child to point to a given numeral. Can the child identify any or all the numerals from 0 to 10?
• (B) Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Provide a collection of counters (about 20). Point to various numerals and ask the child to make a pile of this many counters. Does the child make the correct collection of counters to match each numeral?

 
Evidence of Learning: Display a set of numeral cards from 0 to 10, in random order. Provide a collection of counters (about 20). Point to various numerals and ask the child to make a pile of this many counters. The child counts with a one word, one counter match. The child has a concept of the number of items in a collection. The child makes the correct collection of counters to match each numeral.

 
When working with young children, remember to:

• Show them how to do the task before expecting them to complete the task independently.
• Limit the range of numbers being presented when introducing a new mathematical idea.
• Provide children with a variety of early math games, which repeat the same mathematical understanding (e.g. counting, numeral identification, subitising, etc). To support this, there are variety of counting games, numeral identification games, subitising games, etc. as part of this  Early Math Games series.

 
Teaching & Learning Experiences:

 
Print out our free printables Early Math Games: Numeral Identification & Counting with Mummy and Baby Dinosaurs. One set of cards shows Mummy Dinosaurs with a numeral in the range 1 to 10. The other set of cards shows a collection of Baby Dinosaurs in the range 1 to 10.

• Model the activity. Select a baby dinosaur card. Count the baby dinosaurs and match the card to a corresponding mummy dinosaur card. Continue until all cards have been matched.
• Let the child select a baby dinosaur card. Count the baby dinosaurs and match the card to a corresponding mummy dinosaur card. Continue until all cards have been matched.
• {Formative assessment}: Can the child count with a one word, one dinosaur match?
• {Formative assessment}: Can the child identify any or all the numerals from 0 to 10?

 
Extension Activities:

• Extension activity one: Place either the mummy dinosaur cards or the baby dinosaur cards in ascending numerical order, resembling a number line. The early introduction of the number line establishes a good framework for understanding number in all its’ various forms; (natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers). 

Don’t miss our next Math Game: Teen Bingo, or browse through our many math games.

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

The post Math Games: Numeral Identification & Counting, Dinosaurs by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
Last week, I shared a math game, counting boxes, which focuses on counting and developing a one-to-one correspondence.  Children learn best when presented with a variety of games that reinforce the same mathematical concept. So, today we will continue with another math game that focuses on counting.

 
When counting, a child first learns a sequential pattern of noises: ‘one, two, three, four, etc’. They then have to learn to co-ordinate these noises with physical movements of a finger and the eye along a line of objects, matching one noise to one object. (Sometimes the two-syllable word ‘seven’ is difficult for children to co-ordinate.)

Math Game: {Counting} Tiny Teddies

 
Focus: Math Number, Counting

 
Desired Results: Match a number word to one, and only one object when counting; (one-to-one correspondence).

 
Pre-Test: Show the child five tiny teddies and ask them, “How many teddies do we have here?” As the child counts the teddies, do they say the number word in the correct sequence from one to five and do they have a one word, one teddy match?

 
Evidence of Learning: Present the child with five teddies and ask them, “How many teddies do we have here?” The child should know and name the correct forward number word sequence and have a one word, one teddy match.

 
When working with young children, remember to:

• Show them how to do the task before expecting them to complete the task independently.
• Limit the range of numbers being presented when introducing a new mathematical idea.
• Provide children with a variety of math games, which repeat the same mathematical understanding (e.g. counting, numeral identification, subitising, etc). To support this, I will be sharing a variety of counting games, numeral identification games, subitising games, etc. as part of this Math Games series.

 
Teaching & Learning Experiences:

 
You will need a box of Tiny Teddy biscuits. This game will also work well with any snack of choice, (eg cheerios, carrot sticks, grapes, apple pieces, sultanas, etc).

• Model the activity. Pick up a handful of tiny teddies and guess how many you’ve picked up. Count out the teddies as you place them in a row. Let the child check the count.
• Let the child pick up a handful of tiny teddies and let them guess how many they have picked up. Have the child count the teddies as they place them in a row.
• {Formative assessment}: Can the child say the number word in the correct sequence having a one word, one teddy match?

 
Extension Activities:

• Extension activity one: After the child has counted the correct number of teddies, ask him/her to find the corresponding numeral on a number card or number line. The early introduction of the number line establishes a good framework for understanding number in all its’ various forms; (natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers).
• Extension activity two: Create two rows of tiny teddies, next to each other. Compare the two rows of tiny teddies and decide which has the greater number of teddies. Figure out how many more teddies are in one line than are in the other line.

 
Don’t miss our next Early Math Game: Counting with Egg Cartons, or browse through our many math games.

The post Math Games: Counting, Tiny Teddies by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.