Counting is really something children need to learn. The real work starts in primary school, of course, but it is good to practice numbers and counting early on. After all, it is through practice and repetition that they learn this best. Depending on age, there are also different stages at which children learn to count:
Exploring. Children playfully learn about numbers and counting, but cannot yet apply it.
Organising. Children learn that they can use numbers to organise information, but do not yet fully understand quantities.
Repetition. Children understand quantities and can use this in everyday life.
At Alles Kidz Childcare, we actively engage in learning to count and practising this. Would you like to do something yourself at home? Then we have some tips for you!
Paper hat. There are plenty of children’s songs about counting and numbers. Like Paper Hat, The Seven Leaps, I Saw Two Bears Making Sandwiches, and Berend Botje. Your child probably doesn’t quite understand the song yet, but this way you are engaged with numbers. Educational toys. There are many fun and inexpensive educational toys on the market that stimulate your child in a fun way. Think, for example, of toys with numbers on them. By pressing these, your child learns to recognise numbers.
Counting at home and on the go. Easy to do. At home and on the go, you have endless things you can count together. ‘3 cars, 5 apples’ etc.. You can also count together at read-aloud time. Shopping? Then count together what goes into the trolley ‘2 cartons of milk’ etc. This way, you are actually practising constantly without noticing.
