Preschool math for at home learning. Count & recognize to 10

Count & Recognize Numbers 0-10

With step-by-step instructions & a free printable

After learning the basics of counting, the Apple Math printable is a great resource to take your child’s number knowledge to the next level. Practice how to count and recognize numbers 0-10. Download at the end!

This activity is part of an entire week’s worth of lessons available at Aa is for Apple.

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Teach your child to count numbers 0-10

When my eldest was around two years of age we enjoyed counting to 10 for hide-and-seek, counting down “blast offs” and simply involving him in ordinary life counting scenarios.

When he turned 3, I began working with him to count 0-10 with counting bears; you can use blocks, dry beans, rocks, etc. As long as it’s a physical object they can hold.

How to use counting bears in your home?

Step 1: One at a time

The adult has all the bears and asks the child, “how many bears do you have?” Your child should answer “none,” or something similar.

Adult: “Correct, that means you have zero. Zero is a number so we’re going to use the word zero to describe how many you have. So, how many bears do you have?”

Child: “Zero.”

Adult: “Very good.”

Now, handing one bear at a time repeat the same question and give an appropriate response for the answer given. Proceed in this fashion until you reach ten. About 2-3 days a week we would repeat this.

It is a simple but effective way to help your child understand the concept of counting and why we count. It’s okay if they skip a number. My two oldest kids have always skipped the number seven. Why? I don’t know, but poor number seven.

Step 2: The Exchange Game

The next step is playing what I call the exchange game. Here is how it looks in our home so you can try it with your child.

I ask my three year old how many bears he wants and he tells me. I then count out that many bears and place them in a bowl or the lid of the container and slide them over to him. He has to check to make sure I gave him the right amount. Next, I ask him for a certain amount and he then slides that many to me. I check his counting. If needed I help him correct his mistakes.

Continue asking, passing, and checking for as long as your child is engaged and not showing fatigue. You’ll recognize fatigue if your child is becoming irritable or grumpy with questions or is struggling to focus and zones out.

After your child is demonstrating mastery of counting 0-10 you can move onto recognition of numbers. My second child was still skipping the number seven regularly but I knew it was time to move on because often seeing a number associated with it’s word can help them overcome skipping that number.

Why use Apple Math to count?

Apple Math has been designed to assist ages 3-4 who know how to count 0-10 but cannot recognize the numbers. This activity can be tailored to your child’s needs and allows self-checking, which is an important skill to have in math.

If your child isn’t quite counting fluidly from 0-10 you can still use this activity but be sure to use physical objects, described above, before you begin the recognition of numbers.

What Apple Math Teaches.

Apple Math will help teach your child to count 0-10 in a repetitive fashion while assisting in the recognition of the corresponding numbers themselves.

The activity also encourages your child to check their answers using counting skills they already have.

Necessary Materials.

Apple math requires the printable and that’s it. You’ll need a printer to print it off and scissors to cut it out. If you want the activity to last longer you can print it on cardstock or laminate it after printing on regular paper.

I’ve used a couple different ones for my kids and the laminated one definitely stays in better shape but the cardstock is holding up well too and takes less time.

How to use the printable.

I recommend beginning with only the numbers 0-3. Once your child has demonstrated mastery with those, then you can add two more numbers, working with 0-5. Continue in this way until they are able to work with all numbers 0-10.

Step-by-step instructions:

If you want this activity to last you can print on cardstock or even on regular paper but then laminate it. This isn’t necessary though!
Begin by laying out the apples labeled 0-10 in a row.
Count with your child pointing at each number.
Now hand a circle card to your child and have them count how many ladybugs are on it. Match that circle card to its corresponding apple.
Continue until all circle cards are matched.
Now the last set of apple cards are for your child to match with the original set.
Encourage your child to say the number as they match it. If they can’t then once they’ve identified the original one it matches they can use the corresponding circle card to count and see what the number is.
By the end there should be 3 lines, the original set on top, ladybugs in the middle, and the new set of apple numbers on the bottom.
For example:
1. 0,1,2,3,4,5,….
2. Corresponding number of bugs
3. 0,1,2,3,4,5,…

Tailor Apple Math to your child’s needs

Bear in mind that all kids advance at different rates – especially in math. If your child is struggling, take a couple weeks off and try again. Your child may start strong with counting but to take the next step of recognition can be a big step. Continue practicing counting, giving them confidence before you try recognition again.

There you have it! If you keep the lessons fun, light, and tailored to your 3 or 4 year old’s needs they’ll be counting and recognizing their numbers in no time.