Next Number/number before

As children in Kindergarten and first grade become more comfortable with the counting sequence (1, 2, 3, ...) they are able to quickly recite the numbers in the correct order (rote counting). Help them to increase their comfort with numbers by asking them to start counting at a different number. For example, tell your child to start counting at 7. Start counting at 19. Another approach to this could be to simply ask what number comes after any number they are used to counting past. If they can comfortably count to 100, ask what number comes after any two-digit number you want to name. Mix it up, and ask what number comes BEFORE a number they are comfortable with. You may need to teach the vocabulary before, next, after. Do this using manipulatives to model. For instance, use number cards in numeric order to show that 7 is BEFORE 8. Eight (8) is AFTER 7. If I start at 7, 8 is NEXT.

If your child is just learning the count sequence to 10, it will be helpful to connect this to physical movement. Write numbers 2-9, each on their own sheet of paper. Arrange them so they are NOT in order, similar to a tic-tac-toe board. Have your child stand on one number.

Now say "hop to the number that is after 7". "Hop to the number that is before 6", and continue this as long as the child is interested. Happy counting!