Free One to One Correspondence Counting Cards

One of the most significant number sense skills children need to know in preparation for formal schooling is one to one correspondence in counting.  And there are a lot of resources out there for how to teach counting in preschool, but which activities are the more effective and efficient while also being fun?

That’s what this post is all about. Get free one to one correspondence counting cards and a bunch of ideas for different ways to use them so your little one can perfect their counting skills.

Preschool number sense skills include a range of skills, including rote counting, number matching, and teaching children to count the correct number when given a specific number of objects. These math skills are critical in preschool.

So it teaching one to one correspondence skills in early childhood.

Understanding one-to-one correspondence is a big step for preschoolers learning how to count. in fact, it might be the single most critical step.

Naturally, children love learning math through play, and learning to count with these counting cards can be really playful. Let me show you how.

What is One to One Correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is a fundamental math skill where children learn to match each object with a number, understanding that numbers symbolize quantities. Simply put, it’s about counting each item in a group once, using a single touch per item—an action known as “tagging.”

One to one correspondence is actually quite an in-depth and complex skill, which you can read more about in our guide to teaching one to one correspondence in preschool.

This is a skill we spend weeks teaching throughout the school year as demonstrated in our 0-5 Counting Preschool Lesson Plans.

Why is One-to-One Correspondence Important for Preschoolers?

One-to-one correspondence is crucial for preschoolers because it helps them understand that numbers represent specific quantities. This foundational skill ensures accurate counting, setting the stage for more complex math concepts like addition, subtraction, and problem-solving.

By mastering one-to-one correspondence, children build strong number sense, which is essential for future success in math.

Without mastering this foundational skill, advancing in other preschool math skills becomes challenging. Like any valuable ability, it requires patience, practice, and strategic approaches to instill effectively.

One to One Correspondence Counting Cards

Now that we know how important the ability to match each member of one set with another member of a matching set (aka – 1:1 correspondence) is to mathematics success, let me show you how we can use basic counting cards in the preschool classroom to reinforce this learning.

What’s Included

Materials

The Set Up

Print the counting cards on heavy card stock. Laminate for added durability. Cut apart and place them on a tray with a small bowl of math counters or manipulatives.

Ideas for Math Counters

We know that children learn best by playing math games and having fun will also help young children to grasp the concept easier.

Here are some easy and fun ways to change up these basic counting cards.

• buttons
• cleaned coins
• pom poms
• wooden disks
• floral marbles
• large beads
• dried pasta
• mini erasers
• dyed beans
• polished pebbles
• legos
• googly eyes
• snap cubes
• game pieces
• eraser tops

Of course, thematic math counters make these cards a blast, too!

How to Use Counting Cards to Teach 1:1 Correspondence

There are a couple of different ways to use counting cards to teach one to one correspondence – counting sets, matching sets and duplicating sets.

Counting Sets

Here is one of the most basic activities for one to one correspondence.  Counting sets.

Invite your child to count the number of dots on each card, and then read the number. To ensure accurate counting, it’s important to have your preschooler touch each dot as it is counted.

Matching Sets

After counting sets in small groups, your preschooler to move on to matching sets. Invite your preschooler to use one of those super fun math counters from the list above and cover each dot as it is counted.

For added counting practice, have your preschooler first count the set on the card by touching each dot, and then count a second time as they place a manipulative over each one.

Duplicating Sets

After the first two one to one correspondence activities are mastered, preschoolers can start duplicating sets. This is where they count the set printed on the card, and then create a duplicate set off the card using manipulatives.

1:1 Correspondence Activities

Here are even more ideas on how to teach one to one correspondence while using these free counting cards.

1:1 Correspondence Printables

Need more counting cards? I hear you! I love having themed counting cards to pull out any time of year!

• Thematic Counting Cards (16 themed sets)
• Bumble Bee Counting Cards
• Dot Numbers Counting Cards
• Apple Counting Cards
• Fall Counting Cards
• Gold Fish Counting Cards

Get Counting Lesson Plans Done for You!

Take the guesswork out of how to teach counting to preschoolers, including how to help them master one to one correspondence, with this incredible preschool math curriculum!

Get Your Free Counting Cards Here!

Can’t live without these free counting cards? Grab yours below!