Math Learning Steps

Counting, Numbers, and Quantities

Counting and numbers are what comes to mind when most people think of early math, and they are the easiest to relate to and understand. Counting is also easy to verbalize in front of your child. There are several things to work on at the same time, so it can be more complicated for your child than what you might think.

• Counting forward and backward, including 0 sometimes
• Learning the numbers
• Learning quantities

Repeating the sequence

At first, all your counting in front of your child will lead to your child starting to repeat the numbers in sequence. Don’t be surprised if they leave out some of the numbers or they say the numbers in the wrong order. If they make these errors, don’t make a big deal out of it; simply say the count correctly and move on. This is all part of the process and they will eventually learn the numbers in the correct order.

Count down sometimes

Counting down will help your child understand the sequence. This helps keep it from being a meaningless sequence of sounds they make that makes adults happy. You can do this almost any time you would have counted up. For example, if you have three apples you want to remove, count down from three after you take away each apple.

Include 0 sometimes

Start your counting at 0 sometimes to help 0 become an accepted number and quantity. You can also count down to 0. Counting down to 0 is great for events that are about to happen, say in ten seconds. You can count down to 0 and then say “Blastoff” or something similar.

Understanding quantities

It is completely intuitive to an adult that if you count a collection of things, say four pebbles, that when you count “1, 2, 3, 4” the last number you say is the size of the quantity of things you have. Your child is learning several things about counting and quantities. They are gaining an understanding of quantities. They are learning that when they count something they do a 1-to-1 correspondence between the things and the numbers they’re saying. They are learning that it doesn’t matter in which order you count things. And finally, they are learning the “last number is the size” rule. Adults take these things for granted, but it is a great deal for a child to learn. Be patient and remember that there is no rush.

Count everything

There are so many things to count. Count chairs, steps to go a short distance, food items, people in line, people in a group, furniture around a table or in a room, arms, legs, and who knows what else. Whenever you find yourself mentally counting something, count it out loud in front of your child, and be sure to count down sometimes and to include 0 sometimes.