As many of you know we are avid thrifters in our household. Anytime we go out of town, we always check out the local thrift store to see what we can find. Max is always on the lookout for vinyl records and I’m on the lookout for something cool and interesting to add to my classroom or for our toddler. Today, I’m sharing my latest thrift store find for my daughter, plus the best way to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. Make sure to read to the end to get your freebie!
Usually when we go thrifting I don’t normally look in the book section. Between school and home, we own a lot of books! But now that our daughter is getting older, she is showing interest in counting and identifying letters and numbers. We want to be more intentional about what we buy for her. We were visiting Savers which depending on where you live may be called Value Village. During this visit we found The Cheerios Play Book written by Lee Wade. They also have an animal version we also bought. This book is great if you want to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence.
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The Cheerios Play Book is an interactive board book for toddlers. On each page you’ll find bright colorful pictures with fun rhymes. Each page has a place to put cheerios…..Our daughter enjoyed having Cheerios as a snack and counting them while she placed each one in their spot. This was a great opportunity for her to practice counting with one-to-one correspondence which becomes an important between the ages of three and five.
What is One-to-One Correspondence?
One-to-one correspondence is the act of counting a group of objects while assigning each one a number. This is not to be confused with rote counting, where you recite numbers from memory. One-to-one correspondence is a math skill that children learn in their early years. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to fully grasp this skill. Children usually start in preschool to learn one-to-one correspondence. But if your child is showing interst in counting at an early age, its okay to practice with them.
Why is One-to-One Correspondence Important?
When a child successfully develops the skill one-to-one correspondence this gives them access to many more math skills such as addition and subtraction and eventually multiplication and division. One-to-one correspondence is the foundations to most other math skills.
How to Practice One-to-One Correspondence
1. Containers
Using containers is a great way to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. Some containers that would be perfect to use include, muffin pans, egg cartons or ice trays. I bet you already have some of these at home! Items like these force you to assign one numeral per object when you are counting.
2. Objects to Count
There are so many objects that can be used to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. In the beginning it is better to stick to smaller items that can be picked up with one hand.
Some example of items include:
Other Tips & Ideas
Sometimes when you sit down to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence deliberately, it’s not that fun. Then they become resistant. If possible try to make it fun, turn it into a game and use everyday items you have in the house. Involve family members, go outside and count rocks or leaves. You can even toys during bath time! Whatever you do make sure your child is interested and having fun, it shouldn’t be forced.
FREEBIE!
I have the perfect activity to help your child practice counting with one-to-one correspondence! This placemat is great to use during snack time to encourage your child to practice counting! You can use it with any snack. Just laminate it and wipe it clean when their done eating. Click on the button to download it now!
I hope these ideas and tips for counting with one-to-one correspondence will help you understand how to help your child become a better counter. Do you have any other ideas for counting with one-to-one correspondence? Write it in the comments below!
Check out our Teachers Pay Teachers store for more activities to help your child learn to count with one-to-one correspondence.
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