1 to 1 Correspondence
Most children learn to count through memorising and repeating (this is called rote counting). Once they can confidently recite numbers 1 to 10, the next step is to learn about 1 to 1 correspondence. This is when a group of objects is counted by assigning each object a number.
We tried teaching our daughter to count by counting fingers and pointing at objects, but it was only when we introduced this activity that it clicked for her.
Materials:
Number cards with numbers represented visually (through dots or animals) You can also make your own by drawing large dots on pieces of paper.
Loose parts
How to introduce:
Start with a low number.
Take one of the cards and demonstrate slowly taking one of your loose parts and placing it over a dot while counting ‘one’. Do the same with the subsequent numbers.
Count along slowly with your child as they try. It may take a few attempts as they get use to syncing their counting with the physical movements.
If you are looking for a set to introduce early numeracy concepts, the Counting Pegs are a great learning aid.
Our daughter was 2 years and 6 months old in this video
Great for:
Hand-eye coordination is required in everyday tasks such as grasping objects, handwriting, playing games, eating and cooking. As with other body skills, hand-eye coordination can be practised and improved upon. This development begins in infancy.
Fine Motor Skills involve the small muscles working with the brain in order to control small movements. Developing fine motor skills helps children do things like eating, writing and getting dressed.
Early Numeracy - having a solid foundation will go a long way in preparing your children for starting school. Early numeracy skills include knowing their shapes, understanding patterns, counting, 1:1 correspondence, matching, sequencing, classifying, subitising and seriation.
Focus and concentration help children to learn. Most skills are learned by practising them over and over, so being able to block out distractions and focus on particular tasks will help the rate in which they learn.