🧸 British maths, age 5 · session 1 of 26 · 45 minutes · free

Counting objects to 10

Count each thing once, say the numbers in order and read them as words. The last number you say tells you how many there are.

🎯 Practice mode 🖨 Print a worksheet

A complete lesson · 45 minutes

Teach it, see it, practise it, all on this page.

Open this page with your learner and work down it, or press Teach this lesson to go through it one step at a time on a big screen. Every section has something to do.

See the teacher's plan

Warm-up4 min
Counting8 min
In order8 min
Numerals7 min
Activity 15 min
Activity 25 min
Activity 34 min
Picture quiz3 min
Home activity1 min

By the end you can

Count up to 10 objects, touching each one once
Say the number that comes before and after
Read and write the numbers 1 to 10

Before you start

Saying the counting words to 10

Have ready

10 small toys, buttons or pasta pieces
Paper and a crayon

Age 5 · Reception and Year 1 (UKG)

Warm-up · think first

How many fingers are on one hand? And on two hands?

Show the answer

5 on one hand and 10 on two. Hands are a counting tool we always carry!

Teacher tip: Wiggle each finger as you count it together.

More warm-ups for every class →

Part 1 of 3 · learn, see, practise

Count each thing once

Touch each thing as you say one number. Move it to one side so you do not count it twice.

The last number you say is how many there are.

Example 1

How many apples? 🍎🍎🍎🍎

Touch each apple: 1, 2, 3, 4.
The last number is 4.

Answer: 4 apples

Example 2

How many stars? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then 6, 7.
The last number is 7.

Answer: 7 stars

The ten frame

Tap a box to put a counter in it. Tap again to take it out.

Show 4 counters.
Show 7 counters.
Fill the whole frame: 10.

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up1How many fish? 🐟🐟🐟

Warm-up2How many flowers? 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Core3How many cars? 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

Core4How many ladybirds? 🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞

Stretch 🔥5I hold up 7 fingers. How many fingers are down?

Answers (for the teacher)

Part 2 of 3 · learn, see, practise

Numbers in order

Numbers always come in the same order: 1, 2, 3, … 10.

The number after is one more. The number before is one less.

Example 1

What comes after 6?

Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …
Next comes 7.

Answer: 7

Example 2

What comes before 9?

Count 7, 8, 9.
Just before 9 is 8.

Answer: 8

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up1What comes after 3?

Warm-up2What comes before 5?

Core3What number is missing? 4, 5, __, 7

Core4Count back: 10, 9, 8, __

Stretch 🔥5What number is missing? 2, 4, __, 8

Answers (for the teacher)

Part 3 of 3 · learn, see, practise

Reading and writing numbers

Each number has a numeral, like 7, and a word, like seven.

Write the numeral by starting at the top.

Example 1

Which numeral is seven?

Say it: s-e-v-e-n.
The numeral is 7.

Answer: 7

Example 2

Write the number for nine.

A circle at the top, then a line down.
9

Answer: 9

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up1Write the number: three

Warm-up2Write the number: five

Core3Write the number: eight

Core4Write the number: ten

Stretch 🔥5How many letters are in the word six?

Answers (for the teacher)

Watch out

Common mistakes

Counting a thing twice

Move each thing as you count it, or touch it with a finger.

Saying numbers too fast

One number for one touch: slow and steady.

Writing numbers backwards

Start at the top; reversed 3s and 7s are normal at this age, so practise gently.

Class activity 1 of 3

Counting walk

Count the things in each picture. Point at each one.

Touch each picture once.
Say the numbers out loud.
Type the last number.

1🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 How many bananas?

2🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 How many balloons?

3🐶🐶 How many dogs?

4🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 How many biscuits?

Answers (for the teacher)

Class activity 2 of 3

Number train

Each carriage has a number. One is missing. Which one?

Say the numbers in order.
Find the gap.
Type the missing number.

11, 2, 3, __, 5

25, 6, __, 8

3__, 9, 10

410, 9, __, 7

Answers (for the teacher)

Class activity 3 of 3

Fingers game

Use your fingers to find each answer.

Show the first number on your fingers.
Change your fingers like the question says.
Count all the fingers that are up.

1Show 5 fingers, then 1 more. How many?

2Show 10 fingers, then put 2 down. How many are up?

3Show 3 on one hand and 3 on the other. How many?

4Show 4 and 4. How many?

Answers (for the teacher)

After class · project

My counting book

Make a little book with one page for each number from 1 to 10.

Fold paper into a book.
Write a number at the top of each page.
Draw that many things on the page.
Read the book to someone at home.

What to make: A counting book from 1 to 10.

Stretch: Add pages 11 and 12.

How it is marked

Look for	Done well when
Numbers	Every page has the right number
Drawings	Each page has that many things

Project template

Copy it onto paper or print the practice sheet.

Page 1: draw 1 thing  ______
Page 2: draw 2 things ______
Page 3: draw 3 things ______
… up to page 10
I read my book to: ______

Homework

Practise at home

Try each on paper, then tap to see the answer and working. Or print the practice sheet.

Count the spoons in your kitchen. How many are there?
Count each spoon once and say the last number.
Write the numbers 1 to 10 in order.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
What comes after 9?
10
Draw 6 circles.
Count them to check there are 6.

🔥 Challenge round · finished early?

The hardest questions of the lesson, no notes

Cover the notes and try these from memory. They are meant to make you think hard: draw, try small cases, and check your answer.

Stretch 🔥1I hold up 7 fingers. How many fingers are down?

Stretch 🔥2What number is missing? 2, 4, __, 8

Stretch 🔥3How many letters are in the word six?

Answers (for the teacher)

🧠 Think-hard question

Count backwards from 20 to 0.

Talk it through or use the drawing board. There is more than one way to get there.

🎯 Practice mode: one question at a time 🧩 Brain warm-ups 🎮 Maths and logic games

Quiz · 8 questions

Final quiz: check what you learned

Pick an answer to see if it is right and why. Your best score is saved on this device.

1How many? 🍓🍓🍓🍓

Show the answer

4. Touch and count: 1, 2, 3, 4.

2What comes after 8?

Show the answer

9. 7, 8, 9.

3What comes before 4?

Show the answer

3. 3 comes just before 4.

4Which number is six?

Show the answer

6. Six is written 6.

5How many? 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

Show the answer

7. Count every duck once: 7.

6What is missing? 6, 7, __, 9

Show the answer

8. 6, 7, 8, 9.

7How many fingers are on two hands?

Show the answer

10. 5 and 5 make 10.

8Count back: 5, 4, 3, __

Show the answer

2. Going back, after 3 comes 2.

For parents and teachers

The 45-minute lesson plan

Use it as it is, or stretch any part over two sessions. Each row links to the part of the page you need.

Time	Part	The teacher	The learner
0–4 min	Warm-up	Ask the warm-up question with real objects or fingers.	Show, count and say.
4–12 min	Counting	Show one example at a time, let the child point and count, then the practice.	Practise; try the star question.
12–20 min	In order	Use the interactive part on the screen, then the practice.	Play, then practise.
20–27 min	Numerals	Explain with objects, then the practice.	Practise.
27–32 min	Activity 1	Make it a game with real things at home.	Play and answer.
32–37 min	Activity 2	Do the first item together.	Finish the activity.
37–41 min	Activity 3	Keep it quick; stop while it is fun.	Solve and check.
41–44 min	Picture quiz	Read each question aloud; the child taps the answer.	Tap and hear why.
44–45 min	Home activity	Show the home activity and the worksheet for homework.	Take it home.

Questions to ask

How do you know you did not count one twice?
What number comes after 7?
Can you show me 5 with your fingers?

If it feels hard

Use real objects in a line and move each one as it is counted.

If it feels easy

Count backwards from 20 to 0.

FAQ