(Start early - just by example, at first.)

Toys- nested cups, keys, balls, blocks, stuffed animals... Everything can be sorted or counted.
Sorting shapes in containers (see the materials list).

Foods while shopping - count produce as you put it in the bag.
"How many bags of groceries did we buy?" 
Have child help put groceries away.
"Can you arrange the can with the tallest ones in the back and the shortest ones in the front?" 
You can do the same with the cereal and cracker boxes.

Count the magnets on the refrigerator. -- In fact, you can use refrigerator magnets on a cookie sheet for sorting and counting.

Coins (this is a bit more advanced)- Sort by size, stack in groups of 5's or 10's.

Pictures in photo albums. 
"How many pictures are on this page?"

Chairs around the dinner table

Members in the family - How many girls? How many boys?

Count wheels, doors and other parts on the car. 
"How many of these occur in pairs?" 
"How many things are there 4 of?"

Help sort and count the daily mail. Find and read the numbers in the addresses.

Have them learn their address and phone number!!

Count things in family collections - like Beanie Babies.

Count claps, hops, jumps, etc.
Count steps while walking and climbing.

Get a birdfeeder and put it in the backyard. 
"How many birds do you see on the feeder?" 
"Let's keep track of how many bags of seed the birds eat this week."

back to Get Ready for Kindergarten