Count The Socks In

What you need

• a handful of clean socks
• a laundry basket

How to do it

1. Scatter a handful of clean socks on the floor near the laundry basket.
2. Pick one up, drop it in and say 'one sock'.
3. Let them fetch the next one and count it in: 'two socks'.
4. When the floor is clear, tip the basket out and count them all back in.

Why it matters

Socks are soft, easy to grab and there are always plenty, so counting them in turns a small job into a number game.

What they're learning

Counting along

One number for each sock dropped matches the word to the thing.

Carrying and dropping

Walking a sock over and letting it go works balance and grip together.

Helping out

A real job with a clear end: the floor is clear and the basket is full.

What to look for

Notice them bringing a sock to you and waiting for the number before they drop it.

A tip

Stop at five or so even if there are more socks; a short count they finish beats a long one they wander off from.

More like this

Match The Socks from 26 months · 20-35 min You Pull the Last Bit from 14 months · 5 min Shoes by the Door from 12 months · 5-10 min Dressing-Up Shirt from 30 months · 10-15 min