Counting to 10

Count reliably from 0 to 10 using objects and number songs.

  • Define and explain Counting to 10 in your own words
  • Use key terms such as Estimate accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

Counting is the first big step in mathematics. Every number you learn to say and write opens the door to adding, subtracting and solving problems.

This lesson focuses on Counting to 10: count reliably from 0 to 10 using objects and number songs.

Definition: Counting to 10

Count reliably from 0 to 10 using objects and number songs.

Key ideas

One-to-one counting

Touch or point to each object once and say one number name each time. That way no object is missed and none is counted twice.

Counting on

Instead of starting at 1 each time, keep counting from a number you already know. This makes adding and checking totals much faster.

Key term — Estimate: A sensible guess of how many there are, found by counting part of a group and scaling up.

Worked example: Counting to 10

Which is more: 25 or 29?

29, because 29 comes after 25 when counting.

Answer: 29, because 29 comes after 25 when counting.

Common mistakes
  • Counting an object twice Point to each object once as you count it, moving counted objects aside if it helps.
  • Saying number names out of order Practise the sequence aloud until it is automatic, like the words of a song.

Practice

A packet has 31 biscuits. You eat 1. How many are left?
Count back one step.

30 — counting back one from 31 gives 30.

Count from 14 to 20.
Say each number one after another.

14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

What number comes just before 40?
Count backwards from 40.
Write the numbers 8, 3, 11, 5 from smallest to largest.
Find the smallest first.

3, 5, 8, 11.

Quick check

Counting to 10 — quick check

Which of these best defines "Estimate"?

A sensible guess of how many there are, found by counting part of a group and scaling up.

Count back in tens from 70 to 30.

70, 60, 50, 40, 30.
Key takeaways
  • Counting to 10: count reliably from 0 to 10 using objects and number songs.
  • One-to-one counting: Touch or point to each object once and say one number name each time.
  • Number: A word or symbol that tells you how many there are, such as 7.
  • Watch out for: counting an object twice