12 Quick and Fun Ways to Revise Counting For EFL very young learners

I've been gradually introducing simple routines at the start and end of each lesson. 



We always begin with a "Hello" song and a "How are you?" activity. In the last few weeks my 5 and 6 year olds have been learning to count to 30 in English. Here are a few ways that we practise. I usually choose three or four of these at the beginning of each class.

1. Counting children as they enter the classroom.  

Children generally have to come to me for the lesson. They stand in a line and get ready to come into the classroom. I chant Who is ready? Who is ready? Let me see! Let me see! When they are all facing the front and listening I count them into the class then ask them to sit quietly in a circle.

2. Listen and repeat 

Yes, they do need a lot of repetition, especially those tricky teens! I say the numbers using a number square or a number line and then children repeat them while I check for pronunciation. Three, nine, thirteen, fifteen (and not fiveteen!!) seem to cause the most problems for French children. We also work on the stress on the teen numbers too, Fourteen and not fourteen. 

I might extend this to missing out numbers What number is missing? or count to a number and ask What's next? or What's this number? Sometimes I ask them to count on from a number other that zero. Let's count on from 6 etc

3. Use fingers

We count up to 5 using our fingers. 
One: touch tips of thumbs together, 
two: touch tips of index fingers together etc
and then from 6 to 10 releasing each finger back to the thumb

4. Bounce a ball

I bounce the ball and the children count. I ask How many bounces were there? 
This could also be done banging a drum, shaking a tambourine, tapping knees etc. Children gradually take over the teacher's role.

5. Roll the ball/Toss a bean bag

Children sit in a circle and roll the ball to one another while counting. It is actually quite challenging as children need to listen very carefully, they never know when the ball is going to be rolled to them! Of course they need to remember the number that comes next too. Older children could be eliminated if they hesitate. 

A bean bag or even a scrunched up piece of paper could be used instead of a ball

6. Brain gym 

Children stand in a circle and touch their elbow on to their opposite knee while counting. Try not to wobble!! Count backwards to make it even more challenging.

7. More actions 

Give the children some instructions Listen carefully:

Jump 6 times

Turn around slowly 3 times

Touch your nose 9 times

Clap 11 times

Touch your knees 7 times then your shoulders 4 times

8. Counting with a puppet

The poor puppet keeps getting it wrong! Can you help him? Have a puppet make a mistake and ask the children to help him get it right. No, not like that, like this!!

9. Drawing on backs

In pairs, children choose a number and either trace the numeral (or trace circles) on their partners backs with their index finger, What number is it? How many circles? Their partner guesses the number. Swap after 3 goes. (Children must always ask permission before touching their partner)

10. Ordering conkers from 0 to 30

Write numerals from 0 to 30 on some conkers. Hand them out. Children hold up their conker as you say the number. The children then order the conkers from 0 to 30. Tell the children to Close your eyes, then Open your eyes as you take a conker from the line. Ask What number is missing? Children take on the teacher's role.

11. Play Killer 12

I often use this one at the end of the session! Count round the circle, You can say up to three numbers in a row. If  someone has to say 12 they are eliminated from the game! The children LOVE to eliminate me!

12. Sing your favourite counting song! 

How do you revise counting with your EFL very young learners? I'd love to hear your ideas!