Numbers Count!

One-osaurus, two-osaurus written by Kim Norman

Look there, in a child’s bedroom, where some prehistoric pals are gathered in a counting game. Nine dinosaurs are playing a sing-song rendition of hide-and-seek–but something isn’t adding up. Where is number ten? Stomp, stomp, stomp! CHOMP, CHOMP, CHOMP! Ready or not, here he comes, and he sounds . . . big! With big, bold numerals, an array of dinosaurs in comical poses, and a humorous twist at the end, this tribute to a child’s imagination makes learning numbers a gigantic treat.

Whole Whale written by Karen Yin

Young readers will giggle with delight as one hundred unusual animals try to squeeze into the oversized pages of this raucous rhyming tale. ‘But can we fit a whole blue whale?’ is repeated throughout, as more animals join the mélange.

Ducks on the Road: a counting adventure written by Anita Lobel

Ten little ducks go for a walk with their parents but one by one, they get distracted and go off on their own adventures, meeting new friends along the way.

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas written by Mark Lee

From a doughnut truck to a snowplow to a crane, twenty big trucks are on their way to a Christmas celebration in the middle of town.

The Doorbell Rang written by Pat Hutchins

This enjoyable read-aloud picture book about friendship, sharing, and cookies can also be used to introduce basic math concepts to young children. Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made in this beloved classic.

Ten Black Dots written by Donald Crews

One dot can make a sun, two dots can make the eyes of a fox, and three dots can make a snowman’s face.

And that’s just the beginning in this unique counting book! Children will develop visual learning skills, explore creativity, and practice counting numbers, all in one deceptively simple–and fun!–picture book.

Pizza counting activity: https://7daysofplay.com/pizza-number-recognition/

Pompom counting activity: https://laughingkidslearn.com/simple-counting-activity-for-children/

Catching bugs counting game: https://www.pre-kpages.com/catching-bugs-counting-game/

Count on Counting!

Two Dogs on a Trike by Gabrielle Snyder

When the gate is left open, one dog escapes the yard for an adventure on tricycles, trolleys, and trains. This hilarious story counts up to ten and back down again as more pups join the fun–and one very determined cat goes on the chase!

Smart George written and illustrated by Jules Feiffer

When George’s mother asks him to add one plus one, two plus two, and three plus three, George would rather eat, go for a walk, and take a nap. But soon George finds himself in a colorful dream about . . . numbers!

The Blunders: a counting catastrophe! By Christina Soontornvat

No matter how many times the ten Blunder kids count, they always come up one short…

Over in the Meadow written and illustrated by Jane Cabrera

Over in the meadow on a beautiful day, animals’ moms and their babies have come out to play! From one small turtle to ten twitching rabbits, read along with this spirited counting poem. Can you count all of the colorful critters?

One is a Piñata: a book of numbers written by Roseanne Thong

In rhyming text, Hispanic children count the things, like piñatas and maracas, that can be seen in their neighborhood.

How to Two written and illustrated by David  Soman

A child’s solitary day at the playground turns into a park-wide adventure as he learns how to play with nine new friends

From 1 to 10 written and illustrated Mies van Hout

From 1 to 10 is a counting book for young children featuring illustrations of animals with countable traits, for example the arms of an octopus or the whiskers of a cat.

One Shoe Two Shoes written by Caryl Hart

Introduces colors and the numbers one to ten as increasing numbers of mice explore a wide variety of shoes.

Count objects from nature: https://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2013/04/counting-and-grouping-with-sticks.html

Ice cream numbers: : https://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2013/01/ice-cream-number-learning-activity.html

Counting cookies: https://kidscraftroom.com/simple-salt-dough-recipe-counting-cookies/

https://kidscraftroom.com/simple-salt-dough-recipe-counting-cookies/

https://kidscraftroom.com/simple-salt-dough-recipe-counting-cookies/

Counting and Estimating

Counting on Frank by Rod Clements

Talk about estimation with the kids. Explain to them that when you estimate, you give a “best guess”.  Have several jars with various amounts of objects in them and let the kids estimate the number of items in the jar and then count the items to see whose estimate was closest.

Dinosaurs, Size Perception & Estimating

Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins and I’m Big by Kate McMullan

Draw an actual dinosaur footprint (I found dimensions for various dinosaur footprints on the internet). Have the children guess how many child-sized feet it would take to fill that footprint. Then have the children remove their shoes (or they can stand inside it if they feel like being close!) and place them inside the footprint. Count how many kids feet it took.

How to Catch Fish

Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert

Catch diecut fish with paperclips and rods made of rulers, string, and magnets.