Knowing the order of the numbers — that 4 comes after 3 and before 5 — is how children build a number line in their heads. It is the foundation for counting on and counting back later.
What your child will learn
- Say the number that comes next, up to 10
- Say the number that comes just before, up to 10
- Recognise the written numbers in a counting line
Counting on from any number
Many children can count from 1 but find it hard to start in the middle. The Number Train shows a few numbers in a row and asks what comes next, so children practise carrying on from wherever the train stops.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which number comes next?
- ?
- 3
- 4
- 2
Show answer
Answer: 2. Keep counting: 1, 2.
2. Which number comes next?
- ?
- 2
- 4
- 3
Show answer
Answer: 3. Keep counting: 1, 2, 3.
3. Which number comes next?
- ?
- 2
- 1
- 3
Show answer
Answer: 2. Keep counting: 1, 2.
Tips for grown-ups
- Count stairs as you climb, and ask “What number comes next?” at the top.
- Start counting from a number other than 1: “Let’s count from 4!”
- Look for numbers on doors and buses and say the number after.