Numbers and Counting
Counting—both counting objects and counting orally—is an important early math concept. Researchers have found that oral counting skills may begin to develop as early as two years of age.* Other initial mathematical ideas include counting in sequence, matching one to one, and counting by tens. The following counting books connect boys and girls with the world of
numbers.
* K. Fuson, Young Children's Counting and Concepts of Numbers (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1988).
 | | Counting in the Garden |
| by Kim Parker (Orchard, 2005, ISBN 0439694523) |
Counting in this vivid garden of watercolor flowers takes good eyes! Creatures from bunnies to ladybugs are hidden among the plants, and you have to find them before you can count them. With only one line of text on each page, children will concentrate on the lovely vines and blossoms and search for the animals and insects hidden within. This book introduces the numbers 1 to 10 and will make you want to visit the nearest garden as well. |
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 | | My Little Counting Book |
| by Roger Priddy (Priddy Books, 2005, ISBN 0312494351) |
"You can use your body to start counting. You have . . . 1 nose, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 10 fingers, and 10 toes. How many legs do you have? How many arms do you have?" This simple book introduces young readers to counting with photographs of brightly colored toys and animals representing each numeral. Boys and girls can touch the pictures as they count to practice the one-to-one relationship between an object and a number. |
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 | | Numbers: Easy-Open Board Book |
| by Michel Blake (Candlewick, 2006, ISBN 076362747X) |
Numbers is a first concept book for very young children. Each page has a numeral, the corresponding number word, and the appropriate number of animals. The photographs of animals include giraffes, monkeys, zebras, and owls. Little hands can turn the graduated, heavy cardboard pages easily. |
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Number associations should be concrete for toddlers. Hold your child on your lap and do "me counting"—count the number of eyes, ears, nose, mouth, arms, legs, fingers, and toes, touching each body part and saying the number word as you do so.
Books selected and reviewed by
Carol Price. Carol Price has been a preschool teacher and director, a kindergarten and first grade teacher, an elementary principal, and a K-12 English language arts coordinator. Recently retired after working thirty years for Worthington Schools in Worthington, Ohio, she now spends her time as an educational consultant, workshop presenter, and adjunct professor at a local college. More importantly, she finally has hours and hours available to read newly released children's books and to curl up with a few of her old favorites, too.