Maths Without Limits
Opening Young Minds to Endless Possibilities

5.1.1.1 Counting without Objects

Young children love patterns and quickly learn to repeat the numbers from 1 to 10 if the adults around them model this. Here are some activities you can try.


Skill: S
ay the forward number word sequence (from 0 to at least 30 and later to 50)

Question: How far can we count?
Things to do: Chant together. Play hide and seek.

 

Skill: Say the backward number word sequence (counting down from at least 20 and later from 50)

Questions: Can we count backwards?  Can we count all the way down to zero? How far up can we start?
Things to do: Chant together. Do a rocket blast off.

 

Skill: Say the forward number word sequence from a given number

Questions: What happens if we start counting at (eg 4) instead of zero?  Is that possible? Can you show me? Shall we try that together?

 

Skill: Say the backward number sequence from a given number

Questions: Could we start counting backwards from a different number like 27?  Is that possible?  Can you show me? Shall we try that together?

 

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