Numbers from One to Nine

Counting is saying number names in order while touching each thing once. One thing, one number name. The last name you say is how many there are.

If you touch a thing twice, you count it twice and get too many. If you skip a thing, you get too few. One touch for one number keeps the count true.

The number is the amount, like five apples. The numeral is the written mark, 5. The mark is just a name we write for the amount.

No. You can count the apples left to right or right to left. As long as you touch each one once, you get the same amount every time.

Because each number name counts one more thing. When you reach the last thing, that name has counted them all. So the last name is the total.

Ten comes after nine. Ten is special because it needs two marks, 1 and 0. You will build a lot of maths on ten later.

Writing helps you remember the shape of each numeral. When you can read 7 quickly, you can do maths quickly. Neat numbers also stop mistakes.

Count real things. Count steps to the door. Count spoons on the table. Count claps. Real counting is stronger practice than counting on paper.