Counting to 10: One Number for Each Thing
You have TWO hands and TEN fingers. Wiggle them! Every time you count something, you say one number for one thing: one wiggle, one word. That is the big secret of counting. Point at your thumb and say 'one'. Point at the next finger and say 'two'. When you touch each finger just once and say the next number, you never lose count. Let's count all the way to 10 together.
What You'll Learn
Today you will: 1. Say the numbers in order from 1 to 10. 2. Touch one thing for each number you say. 3. Know that the LAST number you say tells how many. 4. Count sets of toys, blocks, and fingers all by yourself.
One Touch, One Number
When you count, you touch each thing one time and say one number. This is the rule that keeps counting fair. If you have 3 blocks, you touch the first and say 'one', touch the second and say 'two', touch the last and say 'three'. You did NOT touch any block twice, and you did not skip any. That is why the count is right!
Use your finger to touch or point at each thing as you say its number. Touching helps you not count the same thing twice. Slow and careful wins!
The Last Number Tells How Many
Here is a magic trick of counting: the very LAST number you say is the answer for how many. Count 4 crayons: 'one, two, three, FOUR.' You stopped on four, so there are four crayons. You do not have to count again — the last word already told you the total. That last-number idea works for a big pile or a tiny pile, every single time.
Match each group to how many there are.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
You count buttons: 'one, two, three, four, five.' How many buttons are there?
What is the counting rule that keeps your count fair?
Count Your Toy Parade
1. Line up some toys, blocks, or crayons in a row. 2. Point at the first one and say 'one', then move along saying the next number for each. 3. Touch each toy only ONE time. 4. Say the last number out loud — that is how many! 5. Draw that many dots on paper and write the number next to them. Deliverable: your paper showing the dots and the number, matching how many toys were in your parade.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
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