Development of numbers
The stages in the development of numbers generally follows a pattern.
As with child development the development of numbers for a child follows a sequence and general milestone developmental path.
Every child is different and some children will learn numbers quicker than others and other children may take a little longer.
When a child is developing their awareness of numbers a number of factors can contribute such exposure, experience, their individual development.
If you are finding that you consider your child is taking a little longer than the general developmental milestone include numbers in everyday life and play.
Development of numbers
Counting by rote: This is where they know the names of the numbers and can recite them in order but they have no evidence of any strategies.
Perceptual counting: This is where they have the beginnings of counting by correspondence, but it may not be accurate and they need to have a tangible item to do this
Counting by representing: This is where they can use other concrete materials, which will always start at one and use these materials to count/re-count
Counting on and back: Children may not need something concrete to count and they can begin to count along a number sequence.
Counting as part of a sequence: This is done as children have developed an understanding that a number is part of a sequence and that numbers can be broken into parts. They can because of this use numbers and appropriate strategies to solve problems.
Using a variety of strategies: By this stage children are able to use a variety of strategies to count. For example, they can recognize visual patterns, count by 2’s, etc.
