Introducing: Counting 3 (Counting Groups)

Vocabulary

zero, one, two, three, four, five ........ten
count, count (up) to
count on (from, to)
count back
count in ones

Hints and Tips

Once your child has a good understanding of counting forward and backwards from 0 to 10 in rows, counting in columns and groups may be introduced.

The objects used previously may also be used again but this time they should be presented in columns or clusters.

By seeing numbers presented in different ways, with different objects, your child should have an understanding of what "3" looks like. Knowing about a Number

Regardless of the type of object, the shape or colour, that group will always represent 3. Your child should have this understanding before being introduced to the symbol "3" that represents the number three.

Do not introduce numerals (number symbols) at this time or record the count as this is a different operation. Numerals are a new language for your child and it is important that he or she understands what “three” objects look like before introducing the sign used as the number 3.

Essential Prior Knowledge

To count using one to one correspondence (know one object is represented by one count)

Activity

Using a variety of objects, make some columns or clusters of objects between the numbers 1 and 10. Making sure your child touches and moves the objects (one to one correspondence), encourage him/her to tell you how many are in each column or cluster.

Then get your child to count back.

Give plenty of practise with these activities so your child becomes confident.

Look for naturally occurring clusters, such as flowers in a vase, fruit in a bowl, sweets in a bag to reinforce that maths and counting are about real life.

Collect pictures from magazines or catalogues to mount and store for future counting activities. These can be laid out to count. Your child could search for their own pictures to cut out and count.

These could be displayed in a counting corner.