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Pre-K · Week 28 · Early Math

Count backward from five

I can hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time.

About 12 minutes · Parent-guided · Large blocks, toy animals or other safe counters; avoid choking-size objects

Let’s get started

Today we will explore count backward from five through play. Grown-ups can model it first; children can respond by pointing, moving, speaking, or drawing. There is no speed test.

Learn together

  1. Watch together: Hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time.
  2. Try it as a team: Sort or compare real objects. Pause, repeat and let the child lead.
  3. Try once more in a new way: Show a pattern with your hands. Celebrate the attempt, not perfect results.

Watch and try an example

Hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time.

Show what you noticed

  1. Show or tell a grown-up what you noticed while we explored count backward from five. An adult may enter the child's words.
  2. Try it again: Hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time. Tell your grown-up which part was fun or surprising.
  3. Draw, point, move, or talk to show what you learned about count backward from five. Adults can record an observation instead of requiring writing.

Five optional ways to revisit this week

Choose a few minutes on any days that suit your child; these are ideas, not mandatory daily assignments.

  1. Day 1 · Discover: Hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time. What did the child notice about count backward from five? A parent may record their spoken answer.
  2. Day 2 · Repeat: Repeat count backward from five together slowly. Encourage the child to choose the materials or lead the play. Describe how the child participated in count backward from five today.
  3. Day 3 · Change it: Explore count backward from five again in a different place or with another set of safe materials. What changed when you tried the activity differently?
  4. Day 4 · Pretend: Invite the child to explain or act out count backward from five for a toy animal or family member. Which part could the child explain, show, or imitate?
  5. Day 5 · Celebrate: Let the child choose one favorite part of count backward from five to repeat, draw or talk about. What is one skill, observation, or question to remember next time?

Family play extension

Family play extension: Hold up five fingers and fold one down at a time. Take a picture or save a drawing if your family wishes. This week's theme is many places.

Reflect and grow

What did you enjoy or notice about count backward from five? Let your grown-up write down your answer if you prefer to speak.

Open the interactive lesson → View printable activity →