How to teach counting

Counting is more than saying numbers in order. Children need to match one number to each object, know that the last number said is how many, and count on from any number. This page explains each counting skill, how to spot what is missing, a ten frame tool, and simple activities for kindergarten.

The five counting skills

Number words in order: 1, 2, 3… to 100 by the end of kindergarten.
One-to-one: one number for each object, no skipping or double counting.
The last number is how many: after counting 7 blocks, the answer is 7 without recounting.
Order doesn’t matter: the total is the same counted left to right or in any order.
Counting on: start at 5 and continue 6, 7, 8, rather than starting from 1.

Count on a ten frame

Slide to any number to 20. Ten frames show amounts at a glance.

Teen numbers and counting past 20

Teen numbers are tricky because “fourteen” says the 4 first. Show 14 as one full ten frame and 4 more. Past 20, the pattern becomes regular: twenty-one, twenty-two… and counting by tens (10, 20, 30…) helps children count to 100.

Spotting what is missing

Counts out loud correctly but gets the wrong total → one-to-one: touch and move each object.
Recounts from 1 when asked “how many?” → the last number tells how many.
Starts from 1 to add one more → practice counting on.
Gets stuck at 29, 39 → practice the decade changes by counting by tens.

Common mistakes

Skipping or double-counting objectsCounting faster than pointing.Fix: touch each object and move it to a “counted” pile.

Recounting to say how manyHasn’t linked the last number to the total.Fix: after counting, ask “so how many?” straight away.

“Twenty-nine, twenty-ten”Unsure what comes after 9 in a decade.Fix: count by tens and use a hundred chart.

Writing 41 for fourteenFollows the sound of the word.Fix: show 1 ten and 4 ones.

How to teach it at home

Count everything

Stairs, grapes, cars, socks, many times a day.

Snack counting

“Take 8 crackers.” Then: “How many if you eat 1?”

Board games

Moving a counter along squares is one-to-one practice.

By grade

Kindergarten (K.CC.A.1 to K.CC.B.5): count to 100 by ones and tens, count up to 20 objects, and know the last number says how many.
Grade 1 (1.NBT.A.1): count to 120 from any number.
Next: number bonds and skip counting.

Worksheets and practice

Number bonds worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test

Before, after and between (PDF) · Numbers chart · Number sense

Last reviewed October 3, 2026

Questions parents ask

How high should a kindergartner count?

To 100 by ones and tens by the end of kindergarten, and count up to 20 objects accurately.

What is one-to-one correspondence?

Matching exactly one number word to each object counted. It is the most important early counting skill.

What is counting on?

Starting from a number other than 1, such as 5, and continuing: 6, 7, 8. It is the first step toward adding.

Why does my child recount every time?

They haven’t yet linked the last number said to the total. Ask “how many?” right after counting.

How do I help with teen numbers?

Show them as 10 and some more, with a full ten frame plus extra counters.