How to Teach Counting to Preschoolers

Counting looks simple, but there's a lot going on underneath. A child who can chant "one, two, three…" up to twenty may still not be able to count a pile of ten blocks correctly. Real counting combines saying numbers in order, matching one number to each object, and knowing that the last number tells you how many. Here's how to teach it step by step, with games for every stage.

The building blocks of counting

Researchers describe several principles children need to understand:

1. Stable order: numbers always come in the same order (1, 2, 3, not 1, 3, 2).
2. One-to-one correspondence: each object gets exactly one number.
3. Cardinality: the last number counted tells you how many there are.
4. Abstraction: you can count anything: blocks, jumps, sounds or ideas.
5. Order irrelevance: it doesn't matter which object you count first; the total is the same.

Children don't learn these all at once. They build up over the preschool years with lots of playful practice.

Stage 1: Rote counting (ages 2–3)

Children learn the number words in order, a bit like a song.

• Counting songs and rhymes: "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," "Five Little Ducks."
• Count everything out loud: stairs, grapes, buttons on a coat.
• Countdowns: "3, 2, 1, blast off!"
• Count during routines: count to 10 while washing hands.

Stage 2: One-to-one counting (ages 3–4)

Now children match one number to each object.

• Touch and count. Show them how to touch or move each object as they say a number.
• Line objects up. It's easier to count things in a row.
• Move objects as you count. Slide each counted block from one side to the other.
• Count small sets of up to five first, then up to ten.
• Count claps, jumps or drum beats.

Stage 3: "How many?" (ages 3–5)

After counting, ask "How many are there?" At first children may count again. With practice they'll realise the last number is the answer.

• Count and say the total: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Five apples!"
• Number coloring: count and color pictures on our number pages.
• I Spy counting: count pictures and write the total on an I Spy page.
• Counting worksheets: our counting worksheets ask children to count and write.

Stage 4: Recognising and writing numbers (ages 4–5)

• Number hunts: find numbers on clocks, doors, buses and phones.
• Match numerals to quantities: put the number 4 card next to four blocks.
• Trace numbers with our number tracing worksheets.
• Playdough numbers: roll snakes into numbers and add that many balls.

Stage 5: Counting on and beyond (ages 5–7)

• Count to 100. Use a hundred chart and look for patterns.
• Count on from a number: "Start at 7 and count on 3: 8, 9, 10."
• Count back: for subtraction and countdowns.
• Skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. Try our skip counting worksheets.
• Compare numbers: which is more? See comparing numbers.

10 counting games

1. Snack counting: count out five crackers before eating.
2. Dice games: roll and count the dots, then move that many spaces.
3. Counting walks: count dogs, red cars or trees.
4. Hide and count: hide toys and count them as you find them.
5. Number hopscotch: hop and count.
6. Bean bag toss: throw into numbered buckets and count points.
7. Shop play: count out coins and items.
8. Counting collections: collect leaves, stones or buttons and count them.
9. Building towers: how many blocks tall can you build?
10. Subitising flash: show a few dots briefly. Can they say how many without counting? (Recognising small amounts instantly is called subitising.)

Common counting mistakes and how to help

• Skipping objects or counting one twice: line objects up and touch or move each one.
• Skipping numbers ("13, 15"): practise number order with songs and number lines.
• Recounting to answer "how many?": model saying the total clearly.
• Teen number trouble: teen numbers are tricky (eleven and twelve don't sound like "one-teen"). Practise with tens frames.

Ideas by age

Ages 2–3: songs, counting during routines and countdowns.

Ages 3–4: touch-and-count small sets, number coloring and simple dice games.

Ages 4–5: counting to 20, writing numbers and matching numbers to amounts.

Ages 5–7: counting to 100, counting on and back, skip counting.

Frequently asked questions

When should my child count to 10?

Many children can count to 10 by around age 4, though counting objects accurately may take a little longer.

My child can count to 20 but can't count objects. Is that normal?

Yes. Rote counting usually comes before one-to-one counting. Practise touching and moving objects as you count.

What comes after counting?

Number sense, adding and subtracting. See number sense games and addition strategies.

Should I use fingers for counting?

Yes. Fingers are a natural counting tool and help children understand numbers to 10.

Can counting be practised outside?

Yes. Count steps, birds, cars, leaves and stones on every walk.