2.5y–4.2y8 minActive playMusicFree play
Count the Claps and Jumps
A quick movement-and-sound game where your child practises counting actions (claps, hops, jumps) to build the idea that numbers can count events, not just objects.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear safe space (indoors or outdoors)
Nice to have
- music (optional, low volume)
- a phone timer (to keep it short and fun)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· core
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· stretch
- MilestoneRecites the counting sequenceMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names accurately in play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recites numbers in order to 10.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Support children’s developing understanding of abstraction by counting things that are not objects, such as hops, jumps, clicks or claps.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)