How many can you see?: what children learn
Some small groups can be recognized all at once. Three ladybugs look like three before anyone counts them one by one.
Suggested Kindergarten enrichment for seeing a small number of objects without counting them one by one. This is not a Common Core counting standard.
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 ladybugs 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 color-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 recognize 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.