How to teach counting to kids using everyday things
A simple way to teach counting is to talk about numbers in daily life. Ask how many rotis the family needs, or count the lights on your street. NAEYC, a US early childhood association, says that the more parents talk about numbers at home, the more it gets a child thinking about maths.
Toddlers: count out loud together. On a walk, say "I see one light! There's another, that's two! Can you see one more?" While cooking, count each stir of the spoon.
Preschoolers: ask a real question. "How many rotis do we need so everyone gets one?" feels like a chat, and they still have to think and count. Or wonder out loud: "I wonder what four plus four is." Then wait.
Older children: use real sums. At the shop, talk about what things cost and what you can buy with the money you have.
How to talk about it:
- Have a chat. A fast string of questions feels like a test.
- Give them time to work it out alone.
- Try not to correct or interrupt.
- Treat a wrong answer as a chance. If they say three plus three is five, say "Really? Show me." Counting on their fingers can help them spot it.
Source: NAEYC, Support Math Readiness Through Math Talk.