Counting Sticks. 1 to 10

Counting to Ten

Number Recognition

 

What you need:

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• Counting Sticks (see Creating Counting Sticks activity).

• Small objects (gems, pompoms, pebbles, loose parts, counting chips, cheerios, nuts, etc.).

• Foam or magnetic numerals.

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What You Do:

1. Place the first four counting sticks, small objects, and numerals on the table.

2. Encourage your child to place an object on each circle. Assist him in counting as he completes each stick.

3. Ask him to arrange the sticks in order. If he needs prompting, point to the objects on one stick and then to another stick, while asking, “Which has more?” If he arranges them without prompting, ask him why he arranged them the way he did. If needed, assist him in his explanation by making observations (I see this stick has more gems than that one.) Or by asking questions (Which stick has the most? Which has the least?).

4. Let your child place the appropriate numerals over the numeral on the bottom of the stick. When he is competent, cover up the numeral on the bottom of the stick and let your child find the correct foam or magnetic numeral and place it near the bottom of the stick.

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Next Steps:

1. When your child is competent, add the next stick. Repeat activity as described above.

2. Mix this activity in with other activities designed to facilitate your child internalizing basic number sense and learning to recognize numbers. 

3. Turn the sticks over. Encourage your child to look at the number on the bottom of the stick and put the right number of objects on each stick.

4. Introduce other activities designed to facilitate number recognition.

5. Cover the numeral at the bottom of the stick or remove it. Give your child three or four numerals to choose from. Let her find the corresponding numeral.

6. Introduce your child to other activities that facilitate number recognition.

7. When your child is competent with ten sticks, go to activity entitled, Counting Sticks Beyond Ten.

 

Important Note:

When your child is ready to count beyond 10, use the following words instead of the traditional phrase of “eleven”, “twelve” …. Use “ten plus one”, “ten plus two”… ten plus nine”, “two tens”, “two tens plus one”….