Strengthening number sense at home: Subitising

What is one-to-one correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is the ability to visually recognise how many objects are in a small group without counting. For example, knowing that someone is holding up 3 fingers without counting each finger.

Practising this skill at home will help your child to recognise small groups quickly without the need to count. Subitising usually works best with small numbers – up to 5, and sometimes up to 10.

Tips

At home

Roll a dice and have your child call out the number of dots as quickly as possible. Then count together to check. Roll again.
When out walking, hold up 1-5 (or up to 10) fingers and thumbs for 1-2 seconds, and ask your child to tell you how many fingers they can see.
Place up to 5 pieces of snack food (for example, grapes, crackers) on a plate without your child seeing. Let your child look briefly, then cover it. Ask ‘how many did you see?’ Reveal the pieces and count together to check.
Place up to 10 items on a plate, using familiar patterns. For example, 8 buttons could be arranged in 2 sets of 4 that use the pattern shown on standard dice. Let your child look for 3 seconds, then cover it. Ask ‘how many did you see’, or ‘how many altogether?’ Show the items again and count together to check.
As you use eggs, show the egg carton to your child and give them 2 seconds to look at the number remaining without counting. Ask them, ‘how many eggs are left’ or how many have been used?’

At the supermarket

Hold up a bunch of bananas for a few seconds and ask your child how many there were before counting. Count together afterwards to check if they were right.
Show your child a packet of yoghurt tubs quickly. Is it a pack of 2, 4, 6 or 12 yoghurts? Ask them, ‘would this be enough for everyone in our family?’

At the park

Hide up to 5 small objects (for example, stones) in your hand. Open your hand briefly for 1-2 seconds then close it. Ask ‘how many did you see?’ Open your hand and count together to check.

Watch Everyday maths - around the house to see how to set up a game of skittles using empty plastic bottle. Play your own game of skittles and have your child call out how many bottles are left standing after round. They can show the number on their fingers too.

Further information To access other videos and tip sheets in this series as well as further tips, information and links for parents and carers, see: Mathematics and numeracy at home

For further information on supporting your child’s education, see: Supporting your child's education | vic.gov.au

Dani Bird

Assistant Principle

Community