Counting to 20
This topic covers 4 learning steps, guiding your child from the basics through to confident problem-solving. Each step includes a worked example and adaptive practice questions.
What Your Child Will Learn
- Count objects to 5
Count up to 5 objects - Count objects to 10
Count up to 10 objects - Count objects to 15
Count up to 15 objects - Count objects to 20
Count up to 20 objects
Worked Example
The Farmer says:
3 apples on the table
- 1... 2... 3!
Answer: 3
Common Mistakes
- Skipping numbers when counting (e.g. saying "1, 2, 3, 5, 6")
Use one-to-one correspondence — touch or point to each object as you count. Practise with physical items like buttons or grapes so every number matches exactly one thing. - Confusing the order of teen numbers (e.g. saying "fourteen" for 13)
Teen numbers are tricky because "thirteen" doesn't sound like "three-teen." Practise counting slowly from 10 to 20, emphasising the pattern: thir-teen, four-teen, fif-teen.
Tips for Parents
- Count everything — stairs as you climb them, grapes as you put them in a bowl, cars in the car park. Real objects make numbers concrete.
- Play "What comes next?" at bath time: say a number and ask your child what comes after it. Start easy (1-10) and build up.
- Use a number line stuck to the fridge. Point to numbers during everyday moments so your child sees the sequence regularly.
- Read counting books together — "One Fish, Two Fish" and similar stories reinforce number order naturally.
Key Words
- Count — Say numbers in order, one for each object.
- Number — A word or symbol (like 5 or "five") that tells how many.
- Order — Putting numbers in the right sequence — 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- More — A bigger amount — 7 is more than 4.
- Fewer — A smaller amount — 3 is fewer than 6.
Where This Fits
Before this topic: Children should be able to recite numbers to 10 and recognise small quantities (1-5) by sight.
After this topic: Once confident counting to 20, children move on to counting beyond 20, skip counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s, and begin working with number bonds.
How MathCraft Teaches This
In MathCraft, Counting to 20 is taught through the Number & Fractions adventure track. Your child follows guided lessons with friendly characters, works through examples step by step, then practises with questions that adapt to their level.
The adaptive engine tracks mastery across all 4 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.
Practise Counting to 20 with MathCraft
Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.
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