Sensory play activities that help toddlers learn to count

“One, two, four, six, TEN!” When your toddler recites numbers in order—whether or not they’re accurate—they’re developing their math vocabulary. But there’s something even more interesting going on at around age 2: They’re starting to understand each number word represents a quantity. For example, if they put up two fingers, they might get two yummy waffles for breakfast 😉

Why learning about quantity is tricky—and how you can help

When your toddler learns the word “ball,” they are connecting a word with an object they can see and interact with. In contrast, number words like “three” and “four” are abstract—instead of describing one thing, they can describe many things. Hearing you say, “Here are three balls,” followed by, “Look, there are three squirrels” may be confusing to your child initially. The balls and squirrels have nothing—shape, size, or color—in common. Your child has to learn that the number word is what applies to both. This is how they begin to pay attention to quantity. 

15 sensory activities that support your child’s growing math skills

Cognitive science researcher and STEM expert, Jennifer Weeks, Ph.D., says drawing your child’s attention to quantity using their senses can help them to more quickly understand the abstract concept:

See & Count

• Count the number of cars or trees you see on a walk. 
• Build a tower using The Block Set and count the number of blocks as you go. 
• Identify and count items of a specific color: ”Let’s find things that are blue.”

Feel & Count

• Count how many times your toddler pets an animal or count a collection of soft stuffed animals lined up in a row.
• Have your child draw lines on a piece of paper and count each mark they make. 
• Head outside and fill a basket with an assortment of balls. Count each one as your child throws. 

Taste & Count

• Count licks of a popsicle. 
• Have your child count blueberries as they drop them in muffin batter, then let them sneak a couple for a sweet snack 😉
• Count the number of veggies on your child’s plate during snack time.

Smell & Count

• Smell and count flowers in a garden or on a walk.
• While unpacking groceries, encourage your child to count as they smell fruits, vegetables, herbs, tea, coffee, etc.
• Count spices while cooking together.

Listen & Count

• Make an animal sound. Ask your child: “How many ‘moos’ did I make?”
• Sing counting songs like “5 Little Ducks.”
• Ring the Pat Bells a few times, counting as you tap. Then invite your child to do the same.

Learn more about the research

Hannula, M. M., Mattinen, A., & Lehtinen, E. (2005). Does social interaction influence 3-year-old children’s tendency to focus on numerosity? A quasi-experimental study in day care. Powerful Environments for Promoting Deep Conceptual and Strategic Learning, 63-80.

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