The overwhelming majority of modern children entering first grade already have the skill of oral counting. Although mistakes are possible, for example, after the number 7 they call 9, after 3 they call 5, etc. Therefore, to learn and clarify the order of words-numerals when counting, various tasks are used, in particular, with handouts.
A good tool in this case is to use pictures with different objects. By analyzing pictures by color, shape, number of images, children practice mental arithmetic.
At the initial stage of training, you can successfully use dominoes or cards. Of course, counting sticks should always be at hand.
To confidently master counting, you need the following:
– Know the name and sequence of natural numbers. For children who can count, tasks are given on counting large groups of objects. Particular attention should be paid to children who cannot reproduce the sequence of numbers up to 10 in the forward and backward directions. They need constant supervision and individual work, since this problem cannot be solved during collective activities.
– Counting objects requires the ability to correctly correlate a number and an object. At the initial stage, a technique is used – the child says the number and touches the object or takes it in his hands. Having gained experience, children learn to count objects “by eye”, fixing each object only with a glance.
– It is necessary to ensure that children understand that the last of the numerals named when counting objects gives the answer to the question “how many?” A typical mistake is that, while counting correctly, the child names another, often random number to the question “how many?” The reason for this mistake is an attempt to estimate the number of objects by eye and regardless of the count performed.
It is important to practice the ability to use ordinal numbers and determine the ordinal number of an object using counting. Children should understand that the ordinal number of a number depends on the direction of counting, while quantitative counting can be done in any direction.
