3.3y–5y12 minChore timeFree playFamily time
Count and Record: Tally Tracker
A short real-life counting activity where the child does a small count task and records what they did using marks, drawings, or tallies, then uses the record to compare and combine sets.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper (one sheet) or a small notebook
- pen/pencil/crayon
- 10-20 small household items to count (e.g., spoons, socks, blocks, fruit)
Nice to have
- two bowls/plates (for making two groups)
- tape (to keep the recording sheet in place)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneReports the counted totalMind· 4.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneVerbal opposite identificationMind· 4.5y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Counts an irregular arrangement of up to ten objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Selects the correct numeral to represent 1 to 5, then 1 to 10 objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses the language of ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ to compare two sets of objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Finds the total number of items in two groups by counting all of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children to record what they have done, e.g. by drawing or tallying.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)