Comments on: Toddlers Begin Counting at the Number 2 (not 1)

By: Lina

Lina — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 02:44:46 +0000

I’m so glad to finally find someone who agrees that kids start counting with 2 rather than 1!

Both of my older kids grasped the concept of “2” around 1.5yo, before they understood “1,” probably because it’s only when you get 2 that you realize there’s actually something to count. And the next number after 2 for both of them was 5, almost certainly because they “wear” it on their hands. So it was 2, then 5, then I think 1, and then eventually 3 and 4 and so on.

My youngest is also almost 1.5yo and she just recently started pointing out when there are 2 of something. Curious to see if she also does 2,5,1,3,4 as the older two kids did.

By: Bon

Bon — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:02:26 +0000

In reply to Amanda.

Let’s try together, Amanda. K8 is about the same age as your daughter.

Currently I’m doing the Marshmallow Math (from the book) and we’re using number flashcards to do one-to-one correspondence and value.

Check it out here: http://mathfour.com/sets-and-counting/flash-cards-marshmallows-teaching-one-to-one-correspondence

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:07:46 +0000

My daughter is 29 months old. She know her colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. SHe has known these for some time now I am just trying to figure out how to challenge her. Simple “what color is this?” isn’t cutting it anymore. Now she knows her number and counts to ten. But actually knowing there are” 3 lollipops” isn’t there. I taught at a preschool and know that fun is learning and learning is fun which is why I am having such a hard time trying to teach my daughter the “value” of a number while keeping it fun and age-appropriate. Would love suggestions/comments

By: Bon

Bon — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:28:06 +0000

In reply to susie mccartney. Thanks for stopping by Susie - do let me know how this works for your daughter. I'm fascinated by how their little minds work at this age!

By: susie mccartney

susie mccartney — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:54:54 +0000

Great insight, Bon…My daughter is about a year old and quick as a whip. I’ve wondered about numbers…and how to introduce simple concepts.