Counting and Numbers to 20: Foundation Study Guide
Numbers are everywhere. In Foundation, children learn that each number tells how many, and that numbers come in a fixed order.
Counting is more than reciting 1, 2, 3. A child who really understands counting can touch each object once, say one number for each, and know that the last number says how many. They can also tell the number that comes before and after another and can count backwards.
In Foundation, the focus is on numbers to 20, and often beyond, with children learning to subitise, which means seeing a small group (up to about five) and knowing how many without counting. Dice and domino patterns are good practice.
Making numbers with fives and tens
Ten frames help children see numbers as parts of five and ten. The number 8 is five and three more, or ten with two missing. A full ten frame is 10, and the teen numbers are ten and some more: 14 is ten and four.
Before, after and in between
Put numbers on a number line or number track. The number after 7 is 8, the number before 7 is 6, and 7 is between 6 and 8. Counting backwards from 10 (10, 9, 8 … 1, blast-off!) builds the idea of taking away.
Teaching the teens
Teen numbers cause trouble because their names are not regular: eleven and twelve are special, and thirteen sounds like 'three and ten' backwards. Show the teens with a ten frame plus extra counters so children see 13 as one ten and three ones.
Fill a ten frame.
Place three more counters beside it.
Ten and three makes thirteen.
A 1 for the ten and a 3 for the ones.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Show 12 with counters. Fill one ten frame and add 2. Example: What number is one more than 16? 17. Common mistakes: counting an object twice or missing one, writing numbers backwards (very common, and it improves with practice), and mixing up 13 with 31. Counting slowly and moving each counted object helps.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Move each object to a new pile as you count, so none is counted twice. 2. After 19 comes 20, and before 12 comes 11. 3. Nine dots fill all of the top row and four of the bottom row, which leaves 1 space empty.
✨ Key Takeaways
- The last number counted tells how many.
- Ten frames show numbers as fives and tens.
- Teen numbers are ten and some more.
- Counting backwards builds subtraction skills.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Count out 14 objects. How did you keep track?
- What comes after 19 and before 12?
- Show 9 on a ten frame. How many spaces are empty?