Numbers to 20: I can count, read and compare numbers to 20.
Here are some crayons. Touch each one as we count.
Count with me, from 1 to 12.
The last number is 12. There are 12 crayons.
Picture: 12 crayons. They are counted one by one, from 1 to 12. 12 crayons altogether.
Your turn: How many ladybirds are there?
Picture: 9 ladybirds.
Choose one:
8
9
10
Answer
The answer: 9
Touch each one once: 1 to 9.
The last number is 9. There are 9 ladybirds.
Picture: 9 ladybirds. They are counted one by one, from 1 to 9. 9 ladybirds altogether.
A full ten frame holds 10 stars.
Here are 6 more stars.
10 and 6 more make 16.
Picture: Two groups of stars in two ten frames: 10 and 6. 16 stars altogether.
Your turn: Which picture shows 12?
Choose one:
2 strawberries in two ten frames.
12 strawberries in two ten frames.
20 strawberries in two ten frames.
Answer
The answer: 12 strawberries in two ten frames.
A full ten frame and 2 more make 12.
Picture: Two groups of strawberries in two ten frames: 10 and 2. 12 strawberries altogether.
Here is a number line. The frog is on 15.
1 more than 15 is 16. It comes next.
Back on 15. 1 less than 15 is 14.
Picture: A number line from 10 to 20. A star at 15. The frog makes 2 hops: 15 to 16 (1 more) and 15 to 14 (1 less).
Your turn: The star is on 17. Tap the number that is 1 less than 17.
Picture: A number line from 10 to 20. A star at 17.
Tap the right part of the picture.
Answer
The answer: 16
Go back 1 from 17. 1 less than 17 is 16.
Picture: A number line from 10 to 20. A star at 17. The frog hops from 17 to 16 (1 less).
Priya has 12 shells.
Kofi has 9 shells.
Priya has more. Kofi has fewer.
Picture: Priya: 12 shells and Kofi: 9 shells.
Aisha has 8 pears.
Oliver has 8 pears too.
8 and 8 are the same. Nobody has more.
Picture: Aisha: 8 pears and Oliver: 8 pears.
Your turn: Who has fewer balloons?
Picture: Zara: 7 balloons and Yusuf: 10 balloons.
Choose one:
Zara
Yusuf
The same
Answer
The answer: Zara
Zara has 7 balloons.
Yusuf has 10. Zara has fewer.
Picture: Zara: 7 balloons and Yusuf: 10 balloons.
Well done! You know your numbers to 20.
The last number says how many
1 more is next, 1 less is before
More, fewer or the same
Another way to learn it
Here are some teddy bears, all mixed up.
Touch each one once: 1 to 11.
We said 11 last. There are 11 teddy bears.
Picture: 11 teddy bears scattered about. They are counted one by one, from 1 to 11. 11 teddy bears altogether.
Here are the 11 teddy bears.
Here is 1 more teddy bear.
1 more than 11 is 12.
Picture: Two groups of teddy bears scattered about: 11 and 1. The groups are pushed together and counted. 12 teddy bears altogether.
Now there are 12 teddy bears.
Take 1 teddy bear away.
11 are left. 1 less than 12 is 11.
Picture: 12 teddy bears scattered about. 1 teddy bear is crossed out, and 11 are left. 11 left.
Your turn: Here are 13 cars. Make 1 more than 13.
Picture: 13 cars.
Set the picture to your answer.
Answer
The answer: 14
Add 1 car.
1 more than 13 is 14.
Picture: Two groups of cars: 13 and 1. The groups are pushed together and counted. 14 cars altogether.
Ana's tower has 8 blocks.
Sam's tower has 5 blocks.
Ana has more blocks. Sam has fewer.
Picture: Two towers of blocks, side by side. Ana's tower has 8 blocks. Sam's tower has 5 blocks.
Your turn: Here are Mei's tower and Jonah's tower. Who has fewer blocks?
Picture: Two towers of blocks, side by side. Mei's tower has 9 blocks. Jonah's tower has 6 blocks.
Choose one:
Mei
Jonah
Answer
The answer: Jonah
Jonah's tower is shorter. Jonah has fewer.
Picture: Two towers of blocks, side by side. Mei's tower has 9 blocks. Jonah's tower has 6 blocks.
You did it! Real things help us count.
Touch each one once
1 more: add 1. 1 less: take 1 away
A taller tower has more blocks
Tip for grown-ups
Spend 10 minutes counting together at home: shoes by the door, spoons, toys or pasta shapes. Ask your child to touch each thing once and tell you the last number: 'So there are 14!' Add one more or take one away, and ask how many there are now. Then make two small piles and ask which pile has more, which has fewer, or whether they are the same.