Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basic concept of numbers and counting up to 10. They will be able to recognize numbers, count objects, and associate numbers with quantities.

Materials and Prep

• Fingers (for counting)
• Small toys or items around the house (like blocks, stuffed animals, or crayons)
• A comfortable space to sit and play
• Preparation: Make sure the student has a clear area to explore and count objects.

Activities

• Counting with Fingers: Start by showing the student how to count using their fingers. Hold up one finger and say, "This is one!" Then go up to ten. Encourage the student to follow along and match their fingers with yours.

• Count the Toys: Gather a few small toys or items. Ask the student to count how many toys they have. You can say, "How many toys do we have? Let's count them together!"

• Number Hunt: Go on a hunt around the house. Ask the student to find items that match numbers you call out, like "Can you find something for number 3?" This helps them associate numbers with quantities.

• Sing a Counting Song: Sing a fun counting song together, like "Five Little Ducks" or "Ten in the Bed." Use hand motions to make it more engaging. You can say, "Let's sing and count together!"

Talking Points

• "Look at my fingers! This is one, two, three! Can you show me your fingers?"
• "Wow, we have three toys! Let's count them together: one, two, three! Great job!"
• "Can you find something that is four? How about that toy over there? Let's count them!"
• "Singing helps us remember numbers! Let's sing our counting song together!"