How many can you see?: what children learn
Subitising means seeing how many things there are without counting them one by one. Children recognise small amounts, up to 5, at a glance.
Each card shows 1 to 5 apples, stars, ladybirds or dots. Children look, say the amount and drop the card into the matching number box.
This topic links to an early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England (Number). Children at the expected level of development will: “Subitise (recognise quantities without counting) up to 5”. Reception children are usually aged 4–5.
There is no direct equivalent in the US Common Core State Standards. England EYFS (Reception) early learning goal; not published for the US.
How to play
Sort the cards into the right groups. Tap a card, then its group. You can also drag a card, or press the number on its group. Each game has 3 rounds with no timer. Every card is checked as soon as you place it: a card in the wrong group comes back with a hint, and you get a point for each card you place right first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 8 multiple-choice questions in 240 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Play together. Sit with your child and read the words on screen aloud. Let them do the tapping and dragging.
- Look, don't count. Encourage a quick look and a guess before any counting. Speed comes with practice.
- Say the number. Ask "How many?" and let your child say the number before they move the card.
- Check by counting. If they are unsure, count together, touching each picture once, and then sort it.
Worked examples
Example 1: 🐞🐞🐞
Working: Three ladybirds sit in a row. You can see three at once.
Answer: 3
Example 2: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Working: Five stars: two and three together make five.
Answer: 5
Example 3: 🍎🍎
Working: Two apples, one for each hand.
Answer: 2
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Counting every time, even for 1 or 2 Praise quick looks. Flash a card for a second and ask how many.
- Mixing up 4 and 5 Look for two and two (4) or two and three (5).
- Touching the same picture twice when counting Move or tick each one as it is counted.
Activities to try at home
- Roll a dice and ask how many dots before your child counts them.
- Hold up some fingers for a second and ask how many.
- Put 1 to 5 pasta pieces on a plate, cover them, then lift the cover quickly.
Ideas for the classroom
- Flash dot cards on the board and ask children to show the number with fingers.
- Play dice games that use only dot faces, without numerals.
- Make 5-frames and ask children to say how many squares are full.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Why stop at 5?
Most children can see up to about 5 at a glance. Bigger amounts are counted or seen as smaller groups, such as 5 and 2 more.
Should my child count instead?
Counting is useful to check an answer, but the aim here is to recognise the amount without counting.
Is there a timer?
Not in the main game: children sort at their own pace. The separate Quick quiz is optional and has a long, gentle timer; skip it with younger or less confident children.