The big ideaSlide one bead across for each thing you count.
How it works
One thing gets one bead.
Slide a bead across for each thing you count.
The beads across tell us how many.
Two beads across for two ducklings.
Example 1: One duck
Point to one duck, or one toy.
Slide one bead across and say one.
One duck, one bead.
One bead across for one duck.
Example 2: Two ducklings
A second duckling comes along.
Slide one more bead across and say two.
Each duckling has its own bead, so two ducklings are two beads.
Two beads across for two ducklings.
Example 3: Nothing to count
Take everything off the table.
There is nothing to count, so no beads slide across.
The beads just wait.
No beads across: nothing to count.
Words to know
count
To say a number for each thing.
across
Slid over to the other side of the wire.
one
A single thing.
Watch out
One bead for each thing: never two beads for one thing.
Touch each thing just once as you count.
The last number you say tells how many.
Try it
How many beads for one apple?
How many beads for two chicks?
Another duck comes. Do we slide one more bead across?
The table is empty. Do any beads slide across?
Answers: 1. one · 2. two · 3. yes · 4. no
Try at homeAsk a grown-up to help you set out a few toys in a line. Touch each toy once and say its number as you go, because the last number you say tells how many toys there are. Then swap, and let your grown-up count!
For grown-upsSet out a few toys in a line. Let your child touch each toy once as they say its number, then swap and let them check you.
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