You can read and write numbers to 10 and you know one more. Now count bigger groups, all the way to 20. Things might be in a line, in rows, or in a circle.
Key idea
Count each thing once, in any order. Know where you started, and stop when you get back there.
Why it works
Rows and circles change how things look, not how many there are. The count stays the same as long as each thing gets exactly one number.
Worked example: Counting a circle
12 ducks sit in a circle. How do you count them?
- Tap (or put a finger on) one duck. Say 1.
- Go around, saying 2, 3, 4 … for each duck.
- Stop before you reach the first duck again. The last number was 12.
Answer: 12 ducks
Common mistake
In a circle, losing track of where you started and counting some twice. Mark the first one, by tapping it or putting a finger on it, before you begin.
For grown-ups: Put 12 to 20 small objects in a circle and ask your child to count them. Watch whether they mark a starting point.