Counting Objects
Counting a group of objects is the first real skill in math: one number for one object, and the last number says how many there are. These pages practise counting pictures from 1 to 10.
Three rules of counting
- One number for one object. Point to or touch every object as you say its number.
- Each object once. Move counted objects aside or mark them, so none is counted twice or skipped.
- The last number is the answer. If you say "1, 2, 3, 4, 5", there are 5 objects. There is no need to count again.
How to practise at home
- Count real things first: spoons on the table, steps on the stairs, toys in the box.
- Then move to pictures: apples, stars, balls in a row.
- Change the arrangement: objects in a line are easier than objects scattered in a circle.
- Ask "how many?" and also "show me five". Both directions matter.
How many apples? 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
- Touch each apple: 1, 2, 3, 4.
- The last number said was 4.
Answer: 4 apples
Examples
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
4 apples
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
6 stars
Practice problems with answers
Solve these problems on paper or out loud, then check the answer key. The online practice and the printable worksheet give a new set every time.
- 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠
- 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
- 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠
- 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟
- 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
- ⭐
- 🟠 🟠 🟠 🟠
- 🐟 🐟
Show answers
- 5
- 9
- 8
- 4
- 6
- 1
- 4
- 2
Common mistakes
- Saying the numbers faster than pointing, so one object gets two numbers.
- Counting the same object twice when the objects are scattered.
- Starting again from 1 when asked "how many?". This shows that "the last number is the answer" is not clear yet.
Questions parents ask
At what age can children count objects to 10?
Many children count small groups by age 4 or 5. In grade 1 they should count to 10 and beyond reliably and say how many without recounting.
What if my child skips numbers?
Practise the number sequence on its own (say or sing 1 to 10), and count very small groups of 3 or 4 objects until it is steady.