“Can {child_name} look at a small group of things — say, 3 or 4 dots — and tell you how many without counting?”
Follow-up: “Does {he_she} know that 5 is made of 2 and 3, or 4 and 1, without working it out each time?”
Not yet
Counts to figure out small quantities; doesn't recognise number composition
Emerging
Subitises 2-3 reliably; some grasp of small number bonds
Developing
Subitises up to 5; recalls number bonds within 5 with thought
Secure
Subitises up to 5 instantly; deep understanding of numbers to 10; automatic recall of number bonds within 5 and some to 10
Dice games, dominoes, and tracking small collections during snack time — these are number sense in disguise.