Maths is more than just teaching about creating patterns, identifying shapes, determining time, and oral counting. Number recognition is also a crucial part of maths.
Number recognition is essential when learning to count backwards or doing back counting. This, in turn, builds another skill in children, which will help them learn to subtract, get proficient with mental maths, etc., in the future. Reverse counting 10 to 1 can be easy for children, but they should also be taught to do reverse counting from any number.
When To Teach Backward Counting To A Child?
Teaching your child to count backwards is really important. A child between the age of 3 to 5 can be easily taught to count backwards from five down to one. Gradually, you can make them count down from ten.
Easy Ways To Teach Backward Counting To Kindergarten Children
Here are some amazing ways to teach your child to do backward counting.
1. Hopscotch
Write the numbers 1 to 10 with chalk on the ground and get your child to hop along them and then hop back, counting as they go. When they count back from 10 to 1, they will learn to do reverse counting.
2. Pick A Block
Drop 10 blocks in a bucket. Now ask your child to take out one block from the bucket and ask them how many blocks are left now – nine. Again, ask them to take out one block and ask how many blocks are left now – eight. Keep repeating till the basket is empty. This will help your child to count backwards while playing.
3. Colour It
Write numbers 1 to 10 on a sheet in reverse order, i.e., 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Make sure to write it in big font size. Give 10 crayons to your child and ask them to trace the numbers while counting backwards. Children love colouring, therefore, they will love this activity.
4. Count On Your Fingers
First, ask your child to count on their fingers by opening a finger each on a number. Now ask them to close a finger each while counting backwards. After doing this activity a few times, your child will begin to understand that counting backwards means the same as counting one fewer number each time.
5. Arrange In Reverse Order
Make 10 large number cards out of card stock. Write numbers on the cards, 1 to 10, and ask your kid to identify the numbers. After identifying all the numbers, ask them to start with 10 and arrange the cards in backward order. This way, your child will easily learn to count backwards.
6. Grape Game
Tell your child that you will give them a total of 10 grapes in a day. Now, give your child a grape and tell them/ask them how many grapes for a day are left to be given to them – nine. This activity will not only teach your child to keep track of the grapes that are left to be eaten but will also encourage them to learn counting in reverse order.
7. Peel The Tape
Make your child paste 10 strips of colourful tape on the floor, counting from 1 to 10. Now ask them to peel off the tape one by one while counting backwards. This way, your child will work on their fine motor skills while counting backwards.
8. Burst The Balloon
Inflate 10 balloons, number them from 1 to 10 and hide each balloon in different places. Help your child to find the 10 balloons by giving them hints. Once they have all the 10 balloons, ask them to burst them but in reverse order from 10 to 1. Your kid will have a blast while doing this activity.
9. Let’s Plant
Buy 10 saplings and take your child to a garden. With the help of the gardener, plant these 10 saplings. Every time you plant one sapling, ask your child how many saplings are left to be planted. You will see your little one learning to count backwards in no time. This way, they will also learn about taking care of the environment.
10. Count Down The Stairs
If you have a child, you will probably know how difficult it is to keep them away from stairs. Teach your child how they can count in reverse while coming down the stairs to teach them back counting. But do keep an eye on them.
Songs To Teach Backward Counting To Preschoolers
Teach your child to do reverse counting 10 to 1 and 5 to 1 with the help of the following songs.
1. Zoom Zoom Zoom
Zoom zoom zoom
We’re going to the moon!
Zoom zoom zoom
We’ll be there very soon!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Blast Off!
2. Ten In The Bed
There were ten in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were nine in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were eight in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were seven in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over|
And one fell out
There were six in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were five in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were four in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were three in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were two in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There was one in the bed
And the little one said,
“Good night!”
3. Ten Sausages
Ten fat sausages in the frying pan.
One went pop, one went bam!
Eight fat sausages in the frying pan.
One went pop, one went bam!
Six fast sausages in the frying pan.
One went pop, one went bam!
Four fat sausages in the frying pan.
One went pop, one went bam!
Two fat sausages in the frying pan.
One went pop, one went bam!
No more sausages.
I’m still hungry!
4. 5 Little Monkeys Swinging From A Tree
FIVE little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
FOUR little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
THREE little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
TWO little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there was…
ONE little monkey swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
NO little monkeys swinging from a tree…oh no!
5. 5 Little Kites
5 little kites in a windy sky
Drifting low, soaring high
The first little kite fluttered to the ground
but there’s still 4 kites flying around
4 little kites in a windy sky
Drifting low, soaring high
The second little kite fluttered to the ground
but there’s still 3 kites flying around.
3 little kites in a windy sky
Drifting low, soaring high
The third little kite fluttered to the ground
but there’s till 2 kites flying around.
2 little kites in a windy sky
Drifting low, soaring high
The fourth little kite fluttered to the ground
but there’s still 1 kite flying around.
Now there’s 1 little kite in a windy sky
drifting low, soaring high
The child wound the string around and around and around
and around and around and around
And the last little kite came safely down!
6. 5 Little Snowmen
Five little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four, Five
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!
Four little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!
Three little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!
Two little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh.
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!
One little snowmen standing in a line
One
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!
7. 5 Little Seashells
5 little seashells lying on the shore,
Swish ! went the waves, and then there were 4.
4 little seashells, cozy as could be,
Swish ! went the waves, and then there were 3.
3 little seashells, all pearly new,
Swish! went the waves, and then there were 2.
2 little seashells, lying in the sun,
Swhish! went the waves, and then there was 1.
1 little seashell, left all alone,
I whispered “Shhh” as I took it home !!
8. Alice The Camel
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
‘Cause Alice is a horse, of course!
Also Read:
Tips to Teach Your Child To Read
Easy Ways to Teach Your Child Basic Counting
How to Teach Colours to Toddlers and Preschoolers
