My son is 3 years old and turns 4 in a few months. He's in preschool and he has trouble counting to 10, he almost always leaves out the number 7. At home, I practice counting things a lot with him, emphasizing 7. He can sometimes keep going to 15 but often leaves #'s out. We count objects and from memory. He knows the basic shapes, colors and can name all the letters in the alphabet. He can write his first/last name. Does well physically and has no delays other than being a late talker. Should I be worried about the counting and what can I do to help him? Seems like he's a little behind compared to other kids in his class.
You're all right, I need to not compare him and just let him be 3. I was in his classroom the other day and the teacher called him up and asked him a math question in front of the class, she asked him, "if you have 11 jellybeans in a jar and you add 1 more...what number is that?" I was pretty sure my son didn't understand the question because he said nothing. And I started thinking that if he has trouble counting to 10, how's he supposed to answer a question like that?
Thank you for your feedback, I'm going to talk with his teacher about it even though she hasn't expressed concerned. I agree that I need to just enjoy him and let him be a 3 year old!
Both my boys were leaving out numbers in Kindergarten, when they were 5, forget 3! Now one is at RIT and the other at Siena.
He'll get it (and everything else). But I probably fretted, too, just like you.
Have a great Easter/Passover!
:)
Sounds perfectly normal to me-that's exactly what my DD would do at that age.
Agree w/ others to not compare-it's a vicious cycle that will only bring you grief and steal your joy w/ your children.
HTH!
Please, please.. at 3 do not compare him to other 3 year old's..
each week and month of difference at this age can make a huge difference. Other children with older siblings.. can make a difference. Only children.. makes a difference.. So many reasons.. not his intelligence.
I bet there are lots of physical things he can do better than many 3 year old's.. This is so not a big deal.. I promise.
At 3 some children can read. At 3 some can count to 50 or more.
At 3 some can ride a 2 wheel bike.
At 3 some can tie their shoes.
Instead just play fun games that include numbers.
Use your hands and fingers to count..
He will catch on..
He's only 3! If you're worried about him not keeping up with his peers at 3 years old only because he leaves out couple of numbers when he counts, I fear you will be putting a lot of pressure on him when he gets into school.
Calm down and let him be a toddler and don't worry so much about academics at this point. It's great that you're working with him, but don't push it to the point that he starts to hate it. Let him be 3!!!!!
If we let kids play until they are ready to learn, they will learn much more effortlessly. They are all different and my son was ready for math at 4, but reading at 7. They can develop an aversion to learning if we push them too hard too soon. I can't believe a teacher would do that to a kid. Sorry. You are a good mom and I'm sure he is gifted and talented. They all are, we only need to watch and help them develop their specific gifts.
Numbers are complicated. I'm a grandma and I still have trouble with them.
Your son is probably doing all right. But you can always talk to the teacher. It's a little risky to measure your child by the way he seems to compare to others. They all have problems here and there, and they're all learning at different rates (and still usually doing fine!).
Sounds like he is learning a lot! Is it possible he has trouble pronouncing the number 7? My son refused to approximate words he could not pronounce. Just didnt say em. Either way -Your son has a whole year year to learn the number seven before kindergarten! Dont pressure him on this, work on Days of the week, when is his birthday, other four yr old skills, and dont let this one thing be an issue.
Just keep practicing! I think he's doing pretty good. Find everyday ways to practice counting, he'll get it eventually. There is a song/video called Seven Steps by Super Simple Songs that my son loves; it specifically counts to seven, then backwards from seven. It's cute and catchy. You can find it on youtube, here's the URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTLtcno5_cY
This reminded me that ALL 5 of my children could recall the months of the year EXCEPT May and October. I don't know why May and October but each and everyone of them skipped those 2 months, LOL. Glad you see that 3 year olds need to be 3 year olds, these things will come to him and he'll sore.
The math part of the brain is not fully developed till the age 4. So don’t stress it. Get a number chart or make one from 1-20 hang it in your child’s room count it with him every night. And let it go. Work on other letters shapes big and small rhyming words. Sometimes our timing is not our child’s.
Much love
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I agree with what others have said. Each kid is different at that age in what areas they are good at.
I have twin 3 year old boys and they are unique in what areas they are more skilled at. One likes letters better and one likes numbers. The one that likes numbers used to not be able to say one, eight, and eleven. He'd say something for that number but it was gibberish. I used to get myself all wound up that he had an issue with numbers or words starting with vowels. But now, he's super good at counting numbers...beyond his age level. But his twin brother frequently gets messed up after he gets to 10. We don't make a big deal out of it. We still try to correct him, but we don't pressure him.
I wouldn't worry about it. And I wouldn't try to pressure him on the 7 thing. But if you want to find ways to gently work on it you can. Maybe bring the number 7 into play or normal activities. Like put 7 goldfish crackers in a pile and count them while he eats them. We have a floor number train puzzle that the kids like to put together. There are animals/bugs on each train car so if they get stuck, we can say, "find the car that has bees on it" instead of "find the number that comes after 6". Then when one finds it, we can say, "That's the car with the number 7 on it. It has 7 bees on it." Overtime, the repetition sinks in and they learn that 7 comes after 6. Or find a playground with a hopscotch court. Walk with him from number to number. Even if he doesn't say the number 7, he will learn that there is something between 6 and 8 because he has to walk through that box.
Is it just his counting? How is he on colors, abcs, shapes? My 2 year can reconize almost every letter of the Alphabet, not recite, but reconize. Which is very advanced for his age, but he has problems with colors (he insists that almost every color is purple) I don't worry about it to much because it is the only thing he is having problems with (and I think he might just like saying purple)
My DD leaves out 13, no matter how many times we count.
SD was only asked to count to 10 at her 5 yr old evaluation. I would keep working with him on counting all the way to 10 and maybe use numbers and not just items to count. Ask for a meeting with his teacher if you are concerned. It may simply be that he's within norms, just on a different end than some children. He knows shapes, colors, numbers and can write? I think 7 will come before kindergarten.
My daughter leaves out 7 as well!
I find that making a song of it helps with everything. Use any familiar melody, or find a toy that does it for you. Good luck!
Sounds like he is doing pretty well! My son is the same age and can sometimes count to 15, but not perfectly! Did you say your son can identify all the letters (by sight?) That is pretty darn good!
Don't worry!
