Number recognition is the very first step in math. Children learn to count objects accurately, recognise written numerals, and connect each number to its name — so that "14", "fourteen" and fourteen apples all mean the same thing.
What your child will learn
- Count up to 20 objects accurately, touching each one once
- Read and write numbers to 20 in digits and in words
- Say the number that comes one before or one after any number to 20
- Spot simple counting patterns in 1s, 2s and 10s
Why counting carefully matters
Young children often say the counting words faster than they point, or count the same object twice. Touching or moving each object as it is counted — called one-to-one correspondence — is the habit that makes every later topic, from addition to times tables, possible.
In Number Garden, objects are laid out in neat rows of five and ten. This helps children begin to see small groups at a glance (known as subitising) instead of counting every single item.
Numbers before and after
Knowing that 13 comes after 12 and before 14 builds a mental number line. This is the foundation for counting on when adding and counting back when subtracting.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. How many crayons can you count?
- 10
- 8
- 9
- 11
Show answer
Answer: 10. Touch and count each one: there are 10 crayons.
2. How many butterflies can you count?
Show answer
Answer: 5. Touch and count each one: there are 5 butterflies.
3. How many apples can you count?
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 2
Show answer
Answer: 4. Touch and count each one: there are 4 apples.
Tips for grown-ups
- Count real things together: stairs, grapes on a plate, cars on a walk.
- Point to house numbers and bus numbers and read them aloud.
- Ask "What number comes next?" while counting — then try counting backwards.