Counting to 20
Kindergarten · Math · Study Guide
Counting is one of the first big math skills you learn. Let's count all the way to 20!
Counting means saying numbers in the right order while pointing to one thing at a time. When you count, each object gets exactly one number — not two, not zero, just one. This is called one-to-one matching.
Numbers go in a special order that never changes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 — and they always stay in that same line. After 10 comes the teen numbers: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and then 20! Twenty is a special number because it means you have two full groups of ten.
When you're counting a pile of crayons or a bowl of grapes, it helps to move each one to the side after you count it. That way you never count the same one twice. Good counters always check their work by counting again!
The last number you say when you finish counting tells you how many there are in total. So if you count five apples and say '1, 2, 3, 4, 5,' then you have 5 apples. That last number is the answer!
Practice counting every day — count your fingers, count your toes, count the steps up to your front door. The more you count, the faster and better you get!
| Numbers 1–10 | Numbers 11–20 |
|---|---|
| 1 — one | 11 — eleven |
| 2 — two | 12 — twelve |
| 3 — three | 13 — thirteen |
| 4 — four | 14 — fourteen |
| 5 — five | 15 — fifteen |
| 6 — six | 16 — sixteen |
| 7 — seven | 17 — seventeen |
| 8 — eight | 18 — eighteen |
| 9 — nine | 19 — nineteen |
| 10 — ten | 20 — twenty |
| Counting Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Move each object to the side | Keeps you from counting the same thing twice |
| Say numbers out loud | Helps your brain remember the order |
| Point to each object | Makes sure you match one number to one thing |
| Count again to check | Helps you catch any mistakes |
Key terms
- counting
- Saying numbers in order while pointing to objects one at a time
- number
- A word or symbol that tells how many there are
- one-to-one matching
- Giving each object exactly one number when you count
- teen numbers
- The numbers 11 through 19 that come after 10
- twenty
- The number 20, which means two groups of ten
Practice questions
What number comes right after 15?
- 14
- 16
- 20
- 11
Show answer
Answer: 16
When you count a group of objects, the last number you say tells you how many there are.
Show answer
Answer: True
Count these numbers in order: 17, 18, 19, ___.
Show answer
Answer: 20
Which list shows numbers in the correct counting order?
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
- 1, 3, 2, 5, 4
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- 10, 20, 15, 5
Show answer
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The number 20 comes before the number 19 when you count forward.
Show answer
Answer: False
Fun facts
- Humans are born with a sense of small numbers! Even babies can tell the difference between 2 and 3 objects before they learn to talk.
- The word 'eleven' comes from an old word that meant 'one left over' after counting to ten on your fingers!
- Some animals like crows and chimpanzees can count small numbers — but none of them can count all the way to 20 like you can!
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