Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to 20
Here's What To Do
1
Invite your child to count as you touch your head, shoulders, knees and toes with both hands.
2
Now count as you touch each body part with both hands. Example one (touch head), two (touch shoulders), three (touch knees), four (touch toes) and stand back up and say five (touch head) and repeat until you count to twenty.
3
Invite your child to lead the counting.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Practice the movements with your child. Start by touching your head, then your shoulders, move to your knees and then your toes. Repeat the movements a few times before you start the game!
E
Engage:
- Let’s try going a little faster this time. Now, a little slower.
- Let’s try doing the movement backwards, so let's start with touching our feet first, then our knees, next the shoulders and then our head.
E
Encourage:
- Try breaking the game down and counting in sets of four to begin - that’s right, head-one, shoulders-two, knees-three, toes–four!!
- Getting mixed up? It’s okay! Let’s start again!
R
Reflect:
- “How did you feel counting so high? Was it easy or hard?”
Not quite ready?
Focus on counting past fifteen.
Ready for more?
Focus on counting past twenty.
As your child masters this skill...
Child will be able to count to twenty with ease and apply counting to other daily tasks.