Family guide · Counting
Counting for toddlers: simple games for ages 2 and 3
Toddlers often say “one, two, three” long before they know that the last number tells how many. Here is how counting grows at this age, and games with toys, snacks and stairs that help it along.
Something to try
Count out loud, then say the total again
Next time you hand out crackers, count them slowly, touching each one: “one, two, three”. Then say the total again: “three crackers”. Repeating the last number is how a child starts to learn that it answers “how many?”.
Section 01
Saying numbers is not counting yet
Saying numbers in order is a bit like a song, and many toddlers learn it early. Counting means matching one number to each object and knowing that the last number is the total. Those take time to come together, and skipping or repeating numbers is part of learning.
Section 02
Start with one, two and three
Very small groups can be recognized at a glance, without counting one by one. Put two blocks on the table and ask “how many?”; then add one more and ask again. Stay with small groups until your child answers easily.
Section 03
Count what they can touch
Count the steps as you climb, the buttons on a coat or the socks in the laundry. Move each object aside as you say its number, so none is counted twice. Let your child do the moving.
Section 04
Which has more?
Make two small piles of crackers and ask which one has more. Your child can check by pairing them up, one from each pile. Then eat one and ask again: what changed?
Section 05
Songs, fingers and books
Counting songs with finger plays, like “Five Little Monkeys”, put numbers into a rhythm. Counting books let your child point to each picture. Hold up fingers as you count: they are always at hand.
Section 06
Counting in Ziippi
In Ziippi’s Numbers area the voice asks “How many puppies do you see?”; your child counts three puppies and taps 3. Ziippi is a preschool app for ages 2 to 5, and every instruction is read aloud.
In English, your child practices numbers, letters, colors and shapes, tracing and feelings, and in Speak learns first words in Spanish. In a profile set to Spanish, the spoken instructions are in Spanish and are not translated.
Frequently asked questions
My toddler skips numbers when counting. Is that a problem?
It is common while counting is coming together. Count together slowly, touching each object, and say the total again at the end.
Should we use flashcards?
Objects your child can touch and move show what a number means. A written numeral can come later, next to the objects.
How long should we play?
Choose a moment when you can join in and stop when your child wants a break. A few minutes during a routine is enough.
How does the subscription work?
It is bought through the App Store or Google Play. Eligible accounts get a trial when they confirm in the store; then the plan is charged and renews automatically unless you cancel in the store before the renewal date.
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