This cheat sheet helps kindergarten and first grade students recognize, read, and count numbers from 1 to 20. It uses large digits, simple number words, and clear visual groups so children can connect symbols to amounts. Students need this reference to practice counting in order, matching numerals to sets, and building confidence with early number sense.
The guide focuses on three color-coded counting sections that move from smaller numbers to larger numbers. Students learn that each next number means one more object. Ten frames, dots, fingers, and grouped pictures can show how many without needing to recount every time.
The most important idea is that a number tells how many objects are in a set.
Key Facts
- Counting from 1 to 20 in order goes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.
- Each number after another number is one more, so 6 is one more than 5.
- A numeral is the written symbol for a number, such as 7.
- A number word is the word form of a number, such as seven for 7.
- When counting objects, touch or point to each object one time and say one number for each object.
- The last number you say when counting a group tells how many objects are in the group.
- A full ten frame shows 10, and numbers 11 to 20 can be shown as 10 and some more.
- The number 20 means two full groups of 10 or twenty single objects.
Vocabulary
- Number
- A number tells how many objects are in a group.
- Numeral
- A numeral is a symbol used to write a number, such as 4 or 15.
- Number word
- A number word is the name of a number written in letters, such as five.
- Count
- To count means to say numbers in order while finding how many objects there are.
- Ten frame
- A ten frame is a box with 10 spaces that helps show numbers using filled spaces.
- One more
- One more means the next counting number after a number.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping a number while counting is wrong because the counting order must stay the same every time.
- Counting the same object twice is wrong because each object should match only one number word.
- Saying the last number but not knowing it means the total is a mistake because the final count tells how many objects are in the set.
- Mixing up teen numbers, such as 13 and 30, is wrong because kindergarten counting to 20 uses thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and the other teen numbers.
- Reading 12 as 21 is wrong because the order of the digits changes the number.
Practice Questions
- 1 Count 8 dots. What number word matches 8?
- 2 There are 10 apples and 3 more apples. How many apples are there in all?
- 3 Write the number that comes after 16.
- 4 If two groups have the same number of objects, why should they have the same numeral?