Notes for adults

Age 2 · 8 min · Easy

Count six groups of ladybugs and circle the matching number with an adult’s help.

Learning objectives

• Point to each ladybug in a group while counting with support.
• Identify a quantity from 1 to 3.
• Point to or circle the matching number with help.

What you need

• Printed activity sheet
• Thick crayon

Safety notes

An adult should stay with the child throughout the activity. Use a thick crayon and take it away if the child tries to put it in their mouth.

How to do it

1. Print the activity and place it on a table.
2. Show your child the ladybugs and invite them to look closely.
3. Cover the other rows. Point to each ladybug in the first row as you count aloud.
4. Show your child the numbers and circle the one that matches the number of ladybugs.
5. Invite your child to count and point to or circle the number in the other rows, with your help.
6. Take a break after a few rows if needed, and celebrate your child’s effort.

Teaching suggestions

• Say, “Let’s touch each ladybug as we count.”
• If your child finds it tricky, count together and offer a choice between two numbers.
• Your child can point to the number and ask you to circle it.
• Another time, count large everyday objects together, such as cushions.

Variations

• Make it easier: Start with the groups of one or two ladybugs and count together.
• Make it harder: Ask your child to count a group before looking at the numbers and point to the answer with less help.
• Extend the activity: Draw one to three large ladybugs on a sheet of paper and count them together.

Talk about it

• What do you see in this row?
• How can we find out how many ladybugs are here?
• Where is the number that shows how many you counted?
• What do you notice about the leaves?

What to look for

• Notice whether your child points to one ladybug at a time while counting.
• Notice whether your child indicates how many are in a group, with or without help.
• Watch for your child pointing to the matching number or trying to circle it.