OBAN ORACLE

Maths Matters

with Mrs Trend

Let’s Talk About Counting!

Counting is one of the first number skills children learn and it’s much more than just reciting numbers! Counting helps students develop number sense, recognise patterns, and understand how numbers work together. It’s a foundational skill that supports all areas of mathematics.

 

So what is Counting? Counting involves saying numbers in order, understanding how numbers increase and decrease, and matching numbers to quantities. It also includes counting forwards and backwards, skip counting, and counting in patterns like 2s, 5s, 10s, or fractions and decimals as students progress.

 

How You Can Help at Home

Counting is easy to weave into daily routines — and the more practice, the better!

  • Count Everything: Steps to the car, pegs on the line, groceries into the trolley.

  • Skip Counting Challenges: Count by 2s, 5s, or 10s while walking, clapping, or driving.

  • Backwards Counting: Great for games, countdowns, or transitions.

  • Estimate and Count: “How many toys do you think are in the box? Let’s count to check!”

Activities by Year Level 

Foundation:

  • Count forwards and backwards to and from 20 (or beyond!)
  • Match numbers to groups of objects.
  • Use songs and rhymes to reinforce counting sequences.

Years 1–2:

  • Count forwards and backwards to and from 120.
  • Skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s starting from different numbers.
  • Practise counting collections of coins, counters, or toys.

Years 3–4:

  • Skip count by 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s.
  • Count patterns in multiplication tables.
  • Count forwards and backwards by 10, 100, and 1,000.

Years 5–6:

  • Count forwards and backwards by fractions and decimals (e.g. 0.1, 0.5).
  • Count by tens, hundreds, and thousands from any starting point.
  • Estimate large collections before counting to check.

Quick Call-Back Ideas

At breakfast or in the car:

  • “Count by 5s to 50!”
  • “What comes before 37?”
  • “Count backwards from 100 by 10s.”
  • “How many even numbers between 20 and 40?”

Little challenges like these keep counting skills sharp and fun!

 

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping build your child’s confidence with numbers. These small, daily conversations and activities help lay strong foundations for success in all areas of mathematics!

— Mrs Trend and The Numeracy Team 🔢✨