1. Overview

“Around the Room” gives children more counting practice. Instead of counting lined up objects on a table, children count pictures on a wall, which builds more abstract thinking.

Count the images on the wall.
“Count the horses!”
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2. Materials

Printed images – cars, super heroes, ponies, stars, etc. – to pin up on the wall.

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3. Activity

Video: Count the cats!

Print out 10 copies of one of the images below and tape them on the wall in a straight line. Have your child touch each picture with her hand while reciting the number of that image in the order you have placed them. Starting from one side of the wall, follow your child as she counts aloud.

Adult: One [Touches first image on wall]
            Now you say it.

Child: One! [Touches first image on wall]
Adult: Two [Touches second image on wall]
            Now you say it.

Child: Two! [Touches second image on wall]
Adult: Three [Touches third image on wall]
            Now you say it.

Child: Three! [Touches third image on wall]
Adult: Now try doing it by yourself from the beginning
Child: One! [Touches first image on wall]
            Two! [Touches second image on wall]
            Three! [Touches third image on wall]
If your child forgets to touch a picture or counts incorrectly, stop your child, walk back to the beginning and start over.

Child: Five. [Touches fourth image on wall]
Adult: Oh no!
            This is four.
[Touches fourth image on wall]
            Repeat after me.
Child: Four. [Touches fourth image on wall]
Adult: Let’s start from the beginning. [Walks child back to first image]
Child: One. [Touches first image on wall]
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4. Variations

Start from the second image and start counting from two. When your child masters starting from two, try three, and so on. Just remember to repeat the initial game several times to ensure your child remembers how to count from one.

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5. Sample Images

To download an image, right-click and select Save As.

These materials are provided under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Essentially, this means you can do whatever you want with the resources, provided you leave the attribution hallmark on the resources. You may use these materials in the classroom, at home, as part of a for-profit tutoring business, or for any other purpose. (Except starting forest fires. That’s bad.) You do not need to contact us for permission to use the materials. We want you to use them!

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