Counting objects attaches number to quantity How many are there? We encourage counting everything: cars, windows, dogs, teddy bears, socks, peas, and more. Counting objects placed in a simple pattern reinforces math as patternmaking. 

Count By, sometimes called step-counting, helps children get ready for multiplication facts by practicing their patterns. Count By early and often builds number sense and prepares every child to add, multiply, and divide.

Children can practice counting to 12 with shapes connect and placed upon another to make shapes with more corners and a picture like a dragon. We used a circle for 1 because it is a single line. We used the crescent moon for 2 because it is made of two lines. And then we used familiar shapes alone or added together. 

We can count many different kinds of things, and the patterns can be very different. When we count time, we are counting hours to 12, and then we start over. Starting over counting is an important idea that we use in place value and other areas of math.

Numbers count things or order things. Here they order circles from smallest to largest and back down to smallest. When we use numbers to count things, we are asking, "How many?". When we use numbers to order things, we are asking, "Which comes next?".

Count On is the critical step in learning to add. Start with the first numbers and add by counting on from it. So to add 6+4, start with 6 and count 7, 8, 9, 10. Practicing this pattern helps children see addition and build their fats. Count on from 1 to 12.

We combine counting objects with counting-by and focus on 10s. Even very young kids today are exposed to big numbers and love to play with big numbers. Counting by 10s is a great way to introduce them to 100.

The counting numbers can be even or odd. This is more than a cute pattern, it turns out to be a very important distinction that is often used in both theoretical and applied mathematics. Start with it early as an interesting pattern.

Counting steps is always a fun thing to do. These steps are special, for they get bigger as the numbers get bigger so children are counting both in order and in objects. You can extend these steps as far as your sidewalk and a child's longest stride with allow.