You count to find how many you have in all. When you count things, you say one number for each object. The last number you say tells how many.
To better understand counting objects…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Count up to 5
![Count up to 5](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Intro-To-Counting-READING-2-600x338.jpg)
You have some bunnies. Count the bunnies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The last number you say tells how many. There are 5 bunnies.
Count up to 10.
![Count up to 10.](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Intro-To-Counting-READING-3-600x338.jpg)
You have a tray of cupcakes. Point at each cupcake as you count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. There are 10 cupcakes.
Count up to 20.
![Count up to 20.](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Intro-To-Counting-READING-1-600x338.jpg)
You are racing some toy cars. You count each car as it races by: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. There are 20 cars.
You can count objects in any order.
![You can count objects in any order.](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Intro-To-Counting-READING-4-600x338.jpg)
There are 10 cupcakes on the table in a row. You move them further apart. There are still 10 cupcakes. You put them in a circle. There are still 10 cupcakes.
Total means how many in all.
![Total means how many in all.](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Intro-To-Counting-READING-5-600x338.jpg)
The bunnies jump around the table. You can point to each bunny as you count them. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. You have a total of 5 bunnies.