Strengthening number sense at home: One-to-one correspondence

What is one-to-one correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is matching one number to one object when counting. For example, counting people in a picture by pointing at and counting each person one at a time; ‘1…2…3, there are 3 people’.

Practising this skill at home will help your child to understand that the last number spoken is the total number of objects in a group.

Tips

Here are some easy and fun ways to help your child develop their understanding of one-to-one correspondence.

At home

When setting the table for a meal, decide how many places need to be set. Touch and count each item together out as you are setting them out to make sure there are enough for everyone. Repeat the total.
As you are tidying up toys, count each toy together as they are put away.

At the supermarket

Count like items one (for example, apples) at a time as they are put in the trolley. When you have finished counting ask, ‘how many do we have?’ If your child counts from the beginning again, let them finish and repeat the total; ‘that’s right, there are 5 apples’.
Ask your child to count the number of people in each checkout queue to decide which checkout has the smallest queue
As you unpack a shopping bag, have your child count each item are they are taken out to be put away.

At the park

When sitting under a tree at the park, ask your child to count the leaves you can see on the ground. Pick up each leaf one at a time, counting to 10, and then restarting. Once your child can do this without skipping any numbers, practice counting all the way up to 20.
Count similar parts of playground equipment. For example, the number of steps to the top of the slide, or the number of rungs on the monkey bars.

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

Mental Health & Wellbeing Report