Count Objects in Everyday Life

Ever feel like your daily life is just a never-ending game of 'how many socks are on the floor?' Good news: that’s basically math class for toddlers! Counting stairs, crackers, or the number of times you sigh before coffee—turns out, it all counts as learning. Bonus: you get to pretend you’re teaching when you’re really just trying to keep track of your own sanity.

Repeated, playful counting builds your kid’s number sense, memory, and language skills—plus, it wires their brain for pattern recognition, which is science-speak for 'your kid might actually enjoy math someday.' For you, it’s a way to connect and make the mundane less mind-numbing, which might just keep your neurons firing too.

How to do it

  1. Choose a daily routine—such as climbing stairs, snack time, or putting away toys—to practice counting together.

  2. Count out loud with your child during the activity. Encourage them to join in, even if their version of counting is more interpretive dance than arithmetic.

  3. Keep the experience light, silly, and free from pressure. Let your child have fun with it.

  4. If your child wants to count backwards, sideways, or even use dinosaur roars instead of numbers, go along with their creativity.

Key Tips:

  • Focus on making numbers a natural and enjoyable part of your day.
  • Embrace your child’s unique way of participating.
  • The main goal is to weave counting into your daily routines, not to achieve perfect accuracy.

When you start climbing the stairs with your child.

Say the first step number out loud ('One!').
Do a dramatic cheer or high-five your kid, even if they’re only mildly impressed.
Write a sticky note with 'Count Something!' and slap it on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

When it’s time to clean up toys (or you step on a Lego, again).

Count one toy as you toss it in the basket.
Declare yourself 'Toy Counting Champion' in your best game show voice.
Put a small basket by the toy area for 'Count & Clean' missions.

When you hand your child a snack (like crackers or apple slices).

Count out loud as you give your child the first piece.
Make a silly face or do a snack-time dance.
Set a reminder on your phone labeled 'Count Snack!'