Count One Ball at a Time

1. 1

   Prepare five balls and five paper cups with the top portion cut down so the balls remain easy to see.

2. 2

   Sit facing your child. Put one ball into one cup and say, “One!” Then hand the ball over and invite your child to copy you.

3. 3

   Next, set out two cups and two balls. Place one ball in each cup while counting, “One, two.”

4. 4

   Take the balls out and let your child place and count them.

5. 5

   When two objects are easy, add one cup and one ball at a time until all five are in use.

6. 6

   Once your child can copy the movement and count, set out a random number of cups and let them place and count the balls without a demonstration.

What to notice

• Places one ball in each cup while saying the matching number words Counting and Cardinality
• Celebrates after counting the balls independently Sense of Identity and Belonging

Tips

• This arrangement makes #MATH-CnC visible: one object moves as each number is spoken.
• If placing and counting at the same time is difficult, notice whether your child loses the number sequence or moves faster than they speak, then slow down that part together.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Placing one ball in each cup while saying one number for each object gives your child practice matching every counted item with one number word.