Counting to Five
The aim of this milestone is for your child to learn:
- How to count to five accurately
- To recognise the numbers 1-5 in printed form
- To match Sumstix to the numbers 1-5
Not all counting is counting!
Some kids are natural born memorisers and they can rattle off a sequence of numbers without blinking. But this does not always mean that they actually understand what a number IS. Most kids at this age level are only just developing the idea that the number 3 means a specific number/quantity of things. This is a very important concept for them to get their head around and it must be mastered before they can successfully move forward in maths.
Your child may be able to rattle off numbers from one to ten or even more or they may still be just beginning to learn what a number is. Both types of kid need this milestone!
This milestone is about getting your child to understand the process of counting actual objects and to understand that a number represents a certain quantity of objects. This is the most vital foundational skill/understanding for future success in maths.
This milestone is also about associating the Sumstix with numbers. This is essential for understanding future levels in Milestone Maths and will make learning the basic addition and subtraction facts so much easier for your child.
Mastery Check
I do not recommend moving onto the next milestone until your child can consistently:
- Count out a given number of objects (1-5)
- Recognise the printed numbers 1-5 and be able to name them
Game and activity ideas
- Count everything! Look for opportunities throughout the day to count.
- Count produce into the bag at the shops, count toys, count fingers and toes, etc.
- Using the number flashcards have the child match up the number on the flashcard with a collection of toys.
- Have the child match up the number cards with Sumstix.
- Match the picture cards with the number cards (you can mix up the numbers once your kid understands how to do this)
- Print out two or three copies of the flashcards and use them to play number memory. The child can match either picture to number, number to number or picture to picture.
- Print four (or more!) copies of the flashcards to play number snap. Match as for the memory game above.
- Lay out the number flashcards in sequence but make a ‘mistake’ – by leaving one card out or putting one card in the wrong place. Ask your child to find (and fix) the mistake.
- Sing counting songs like “Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day” Songs with actions where the child can use fingers to show the numbers are ideal.
A note on the stickers
The sticker template is in the resources file. Print it out on plain paper and simply cut out the individual stickers for your child to glue on using a glue stick. In most cases you do not have to cut around the circle accurately for the “sticker” to work. Alternatively, you can print it onto a full sheet sticky label paper and use a jumbo hole punch.
Example workbook pages
Ready to go?
As always, our free resources are truly free! No purchase or signups required. Just hit download or print below to get started learning to count.
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