Counting While We Shop
Here's What To Do
1
When shopping, choose a section of an aisle and ask your child to count a number of items on different shelves (challenge them to count up to 10 if possible).
2
For items you're purchasing, ask your child to tell you how many you're putting in your cart or basket. If the amount is 4 or under, challenge them to tell you the amount without pointing and counting.
3
Repeat as you move throughout the store.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- If using a shopping cart, place your child in the shopping cart seat before you begin shopping, make eye contact and announce, “Let’s play a counting game today while we shop!”
E
Engage:
- "How many cans of black beans do you see on this shelf?"
- "Without pointing and counting, can you tell me how many onions I put in this bag?"
E
Encourage:
- For a group of objects that totals 4 or less, your child should be able to look at the group and know the total without actually counting (this skill is called 'subitizing'). If your child says the wrong total amount, help them see the difference like this: "Not quite. This is a group of 4 apples, and this is a group of 3. How many do we have?"
- "Hmmm… I don't think the total is 8. Let's go slowly and count each one together, pointing to each thing as we go."
R
Reflect:
- How high can your child count accurately? Keep practicing and the number will get higher and higher!
Not quite ready?
Ask your child to count smaller amounts (up to 5).
Ready for more?
Ask your child to count up to 20 objects.
As your child masters this skill...
They will count 1-10 objects accurately.