Does your young child skip numbers when they're counting?

This is normal and just means they need more practice with one-to-one correspondence.

One-to-one correspondence is when you count each object in a set once, and only once, with one touch per object, ensuring that no item is left out or counted more than once.

This concept is crucial for developing accurate counting skills and lays the groundwork for more advanced math concepts.

You will know when your child has mastered the concept of one-to-one correspondence when they no longer skip numbers or touch objects more than once.

If they still need practice with 1-to-1 correspondence, here's three simple activities to work on together:

1. Quantity Game

This one involves movement, which is always a great addition to learning for young children. 

You can use dice for this activity or you can print/write out numbers on individual pieces of paper.

Roll the dice, or choose a number, and ask your child to go and get the number of objects from around the room.

For example: You roll a three. Count the dots on the dice, touching each dot as you count. Invite your child to count the dots. Then ask them to "Go find 3 toy cars and bring them back here."

Once they bring them back, count the cars, touching each one as you count. You can make it more engaging my choosing items they're interested in - cars, pretend food, animal figurines, etc.

If your child needs a little encouragement, go with them. Have fun with it. The goal is for it to feel more like a game than a lesson.

2. Apple Tree Mats

Use dot markers or rolled up balls of play dough to add the corresponding number of balls of play dough to the tree. 

You can also laminate the pages to re-use it or use pom poms instead.  

3. Number Tower Challenge

Write and cut out the numbers 1-10 (or higher if your child can count higher than 10). You’ll also need a basket of blocks and a flat surface.

Invite your child to choose a number and then build a tower with the matching quantity of blocks, i.e. pick the number 4 and build a tower with 4 blocks.

This is a fun and interactive way to learn with the child physically moving the blocks from the basket, reinforcing the concept that each object is only counted once.

We also have a few fun materials in the shop that teach one-to-one correspondence:

• Wooden Counting Box - self-correcting, very similar to the Wooden Counting Box in Lovevery's "Free Spirit Play Kit"
  
  
• Numbers 1-10 (Gradient) - great for learning number symbols too
  
  
• Number Puzzle - also self-correcting and good for developing problem solving skills
  
  
• 1-20 Step-by-Step Number Line - a fun way to include gross motor development in counting