For young children, numbers are everywhere. On the stairs (how many steps?), at the table (three peas!), in toys (how many blocks?). Counting is an important developmental step: it helps children grasp numbers, patterns, and the world around them.
But young children don't learn this by practicing "because they have to."
They learn it by doing, discovering, and playing. When counting is woven into a story, a game, or a creative activity, it gains meaning. And that's exactly when it sticks.
Read on for tips from Tilly Carrot and a fruity free printable!
Playful introduction to numbers
Toddlers and preschoolers don't learn to count by reciting lists, but by observing, searching, comparing, and discovering. By linking numbers to what they see, do, and enjoy, and repeating this playfully. This way, numbers become something to play with, not something they "have to" do.
Counting with Tilly Carrot
In the booklet Wortel je mee, Tilly Carrot counts from one to ten. But not in a boring or straightforward way. She plays hide-and-seek, looks around carefully, and invites little readers to search along. TEN! Ready or not, here I come!
With cheerful rhymes, recognizable places (from bathroom to attic), and fruity friends, counting becomes an adventure! Perfect for little hands and curious eyes.
The book is an imaginative first introduction to:
- numbers from 1 to 10
- counting in context
- play and attentive observation
- fruits and vegetables
Discover 'Wortel je mee' here
Extra fun: color & count along!
To continue practicing numbers playfully, we created free number coloring pages with our fruity friends. This allows children to combine counting and coloring. Ideal as an extension after reading, at home or in the classroom.
Download the free number coloring pages here!
Because learning to count happens fastest with play, repetition, and lots of fun.
