Numbers and Language
Parent probes counting, number knowledge, sentence length, time concepts, and fantasy-reality dialogue. Covers seven cognitive milestones at 46-56mo.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
10 identical small objects on the table. Coloured crayons or blocks nearby.
How it works
- 1~90s
Start with numbers and colours. First: show your child the 10 objects. Ask your child to count them, touching each one. Does your child count all 10 with one-to-one correspondence? Then: ask your child to count up from 1 — how high can they go from memory? Next: point to 3-4 crayons or coloured objects and ask your child to name each colour. How many can your child name correctly? Tell me each.
Watch for: Child knows three or more number words
- 2~120s
Now language. Have a natural conversation with your child — ask about something they loves. Listen specifically: are most of your child's sentences five or more words long? Like 'I want to go to the park and play.' Note three examples. Then ask: 'When do you sleep? Is it day or night?' And: 'What happens in the morning? What about at night?' Does your child understand day/night, morning/afternoon/evening? Tell me.
Watch for: Child speaks in sentences of five or more words
- 3~90s
Three final language tests. First: in your child's pretend play or stories, does they mix real and make-believe — like saying a dragon is coming but it's pretend, or making up rules for a fantasy game? Note recent examples. Second: ask your child to define simple words — 'What is a ball?' or 'What is a chair?' Does your child explain by function or category? Third: ask opposites — 'What's the opposite of big? Of hot? Of fast?' Tell me each.
Watch for: Child includes both fantasy and reality in dialogue
What this develops
- MilestoneKnows three or more numbersThinkingprimary
- MilestoneCounts ten objects correctlyThinkingprimary
- MilestoneNames at least four colorsThinkingprimary
- MilestoneSpeaks in sentences of five or more wordsThinkingprimary
- MilestoneHas a clearer sense of time (for example, knows that {he/she} sleeps at night)Thinkingprimary
- MilestoneApproaches problems only from {his/her} point of viewThinkingprimary
- MilestoneIncludes elements of both fantasy and reality in {his/her} dialogueThinkingprimary
- MilestoneDefines simple words by function or categoryThinkingprimary
- MilestoneNames opposite conceptsThinkingprimary