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Egg Carton Counting: Teaching One to One Correspondence

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August 22, 2012 by Sarah Punkoney, MAT

One to one correspondence is a critical math skills for preschoolers to grasp. This list of 20+ one to one correspondence activities is perfect any time of the year.
With over 20 free one to one correspondence activities, this set of activities is perfect for helping your preschooler or kindergartener learn to count!

You have come to the right spot for loads of one to one correspondence activities! In fact, we have 20+ FREE one to one correspondence activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners. No matter the season or theme, this critical math skill can be infused through fun math games, hands-on centers, and lots of manipulative play.

One to one correspondence is a critical math skills for preschoolers to grasp. This list of 20+ one to one correspondence activities is perfect any time of the year.

One to one correspondence is the ability to match each member of one set to each member of a second set.  This could happen while setting the table, setting one plate, one fork, and one spoon for each member of the family.  It could mean separating specific amounts of crackers for snacks or giving one ball to each friend. Children learn through real-life experiences and counting games and these counting activities for preschool are nothing short of a blast!

One to one correspondence is a foundational math skill.  A popular activity is called egg carton counting.  Supplies include an empty egg carton, some numbered cards (I used Uno), and some sort of counters.

Invite your child to draw a card and identify its name.  Then have your child count the appropriate number of counters in the egg carton, one counter in each space. Playing with these Uno cards, my child is first learning to count to 5, then we will branch into counting to 10 activities.

one to one correspondence with egg carton

Take care to make sure that only one counter is in each egg compartment.  Hence one to one correspondence.  Have your child practice counting the counters a second time once they are all in the carton. This is for additional practice and helps solidify number sense.

Learning to master one to one correspondence is a critical preschool and kindergarten math skill. This post is full of ideas to help you plan that math skill with fun ideas and little to no prep!

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FAQs About Teaching Counting

How do you teach preschoolers to count?

Preschoolers learn to count through practice. That practice can happen naturally through everyday activities and through playing. Hands on counting activities for preschoolers are a must for additional practice, as well as sensory counting activities and even some worksheets, like counting bear worksheets that are so popular.

How do you practice one to one correspondence in counting?

One-to-one correspondence is the understanding that each item is counted only once and one at a time. For example, when counting a set of counting bears, the child does not count any one bear twice and does not count any bear with another, assigning the same number.

Practice should include lots of modeling by the teacher, and practicing small quantities first.

What are some other math activities for preschoolers?

Preschool math is divided into five disciplines. Those disciplines are: number sense, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Preschool math instruction should include math activities in all five disciplines.

Favorite Books about Counting

Infusing opportunities to count and learn more about numbers is a great way to help young children develop their math skills. Check out our list below of some of our favorite counting books for preschool and kindergarten!

20+ One to One Correspondence Activities

20+ One to One Correspondence Activities

These one to one correspondence math activities range from counting cards and ten frames to grid games and more! With so many options you are sure to find something to fit your themed lesson plans all year round!

Free One to One Correspondence Counting Cards

This post includes free counting cards and a bunch of different ways to use them so your little one can perfect their one to one correspondence skills.

One to One Correspondence Counting Activity

This one to one correspondence counting activity is not only fun, but is also a bit more advanced than traditional counting activities, so it is perfect for preschoolers who are preparing for kindergarten.

Apple Drop Counting: A One to One Correspondence Math Game

Apple Drop Counting teaches preschoolers one to one correspondence, about composing ten, as well as subitizing.

Ice Cream Cone Number and Counting Activites

Take summer learning to the next level with these cute ice cream cone counting cards, as well as five other preschool number activities.

Pond Animal Counting Roll and Cover Games

This pond theme counting activity provides young children with lots of practice for counting and one-to-one correspondence.

Ten Frame Counting Cards for Christmas

Christmastime is such a delightful time of year, full of festivities and wonder, especially for early learners. This year, you can teach counting to preschoolers with these free printable ten frame counting cards for Christmas.

Free Number Sequencing Puzzles 1-10

Try these free summer themed number sequencing puzzles with buttons for a fun one to one correspondence activities for preschoolers.

Ocean Animal Roll and Cover Counting Game for Preschoolers

This ocean theme counting activity provides young learners with lots of practice for counting, number recognition and one-to-one correspondence.

Teach Teen Numbers to Preschoolers with FREE Butterfly Counting Printable

Teach one to one correspondence with teen numbers to preschoolers with these free butterfly life cycle printable counting mats.

Thanksgiving Ten Frame Counting Cards

Get your preschooler counting and practicing one to one correspondence with these fun Thanksgiving themed ten frame counting cards!

Fall Themed Number Order Activities

Combine these Fall themed number order puzzles with small manipulatives for a simple one to one correspondence activity.

Free Bumble Bee Counting Cards - Insect Math Activities

These free bumble bee counting cards will provide your preschoolers with twice the counting practice for a spring theme, plus a fun playdough activity, too!

Free Easter Egg Ten Frame Counting Cards

Teach one to one correspondence to preschoolers with this free Easter counting printable. This printable can also be used for 6 different Easter counting activities!

Pumpkin Seed Counting and Craft for Preschoolers

With this pumpkin seed activity your preschooler will roll the dice and identify the number. Then, count the corresponding number of roasted pumpkin seeds into the tray.

Space Theme Grid Games for Counting

Here are some fun space theme games to teach one to one correspondence and counting.

Free Snowman Counting Cards for Winter

These free printable snowman counting cards are a wonderful way to add fun math activities to your winter theme lesson plans. They’re perfect for teaching toddlers and preschoolers number recognition and counting in a hands-on way.

Apple Counting Cards

These apple counting cards are the perfect way to celebrate both the new school year and the fall season while learning one to one correspondence.

FREE Valentine's Day Ten Frame Math Counting Cards

Use this Valentine's Day ten frame printable to make it easier for your little one to develop number sense skills, including one to one correspondence.

FREE Ten Frame Gardening Printable for Preschoolers

This ten frame gardening printable not only teaches counting from 1-20 and number identification but also a little about the lifecycle of a flower. 

Composing Ten: A Ten Frame Counting Activity

For this activity, invite your child to roll the dice and place the corresponding number of counters onto the ten frame.  Then, ask how many more are needed to make ten.

FREE Emoji Grid Games to Teach Emotions & Counting

Use these emoji grid games to teach counting, one to one correspondence and emotions to preschoolers.

Looking For Great Math Manipulatives?

Learning to count is no easy task, so incorporating these fun and engaging manipulatives are a great way to add excitement and help children understand the concrete concept of one to one correspondence. Take a look at some of our favorites!

  • *** Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics Curriculum
    *** Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics Curriculum
    Sale Product on sale
    $135.00 $99.00
    Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 7 customer ratings
    Add to cart
  • This set of counting to 20 lesson plans for preschool are full of daily lessons, centers, and literacy connections. These preschool lesson plans cover number sense skills from 0-20!
    * Daily Lessons in Counting Preschool Math Unit Bundle
    Sale Product on sale
    $48.00 $39.00
    Add to cart
Sarah Punkoney, MAT

I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

stayathomeeducator.com/

Filed Under: Mathematics, Number Sense, One-to-One Correspondence Tagged With: Number Identification and Counting, Number Sense

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Comments

  1. Susie Earning-My-Cape says

    August 24, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    Great idea!!!!
    Thanks for sharing with my Super Link Party! 🙂

  2. Sandra says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Great info, love the idea of drawing a card. Pinning this!

  3. jtulip says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Having them go back and count again helps them to check their work and make sure they got it right. Great activity! Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!

  4. Cathie says

    August 28, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Great post.
    Cathie at toddlersthroughpreschool.com

  5. Allison says

    August 31, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Great activity and such an important skill. Thank you for linking up to The Sunday Showcase.

Trackbacks

  1. Apple Drop Counting - A One to One Correspondence Game says:
    July 18, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    […] (For more information about one to one correspondence, see these activities and articles: Egg Carton Counting, Teaching Your Preschooler Addition and Subtraction, Dice and Beanbag Toss Game.)  While William […]

  2. What Does Math Look Like in Preschool? says:
    November 7, 2013 at 10:19 am

    […] more information about one to one correspondence, see these articles: One to One Correspondence, Egg Carton Counting: Teaching One to One Correspondence, Apple Drop Counting: A One to One Correspondence Math Game.)  The parent-teacher then joins in […]

  3. Apple Seed Counting: A One to One Correspondence Activity says:
    September 10, 2014 at 8:30 am

    […] Egg Carton Counting: Teaching One to One Correspondence […]

  4. Teaching Number Sense in Preschool - The Ultimate Guide says:
    November 23, 2017 at 3:38 am

    […] Egg Carton Counting […]

  5. 6 Printable Activities for Preschool Insect Theme - Stay At Home Educator says:
    March 28, 2019 at 11:22 am

    […] and place a counter or ball of playdough on each insect while counting, thus getting in some extra one to one correspondence practice. Then, identify the number on the mat. They, of course, should match. Then move the […]

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