Topic 2 of 7
Counting objects one at a time
Step 1 · Counting and shapes topics
Touch each thing once and say one number for it. The last number you say tells how many there are.
One number for each thing
When you count things, touch each one and say one number. Every thing gets one number, and no thing gets two.
Moving things helps. Slide each one to the side as you count it, so you never count one twice or miss one.
The last number tells how many
The last number you say is how many there are. Count one, two, three, four, five, and the answer to "how many?" is 5.
Where you start, and how the things are set out, does not change the answer. Five buttons in a line, in a circle or in a heap are still five buttons.
Counting out an amount
Sometimes you need to count out a number: "Get 4 spoons." Say a number as you take each one, and stop when you say the number you need.
Example: Counting out
Put 7 grapes on a plate.
- Take one grape and say "one".
- Keep going: one grape for each number.
- Stop when you say "seven".
Answer7 grapes on the plate
Very small amounts can be seen at a glance, without counting: one, two or three things. Bigger amounts need counting.
Try it yourself
Work each one on paper first, then open the answer to check.
How many stars? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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6. Touch each star once: one, two, three, four, five, six.
You count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 shells. How many shells are there?
Show answer
8, the last number you said.
Five cars are in a row. You push them into a circle. How many cars now?
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Still 5. Moving them does not change how many.
Count out 3 blocks.
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Take one block for each number, one, two, three, and stop.
How many dots? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Show answer
10.