Divvy it Up: A Counting Game

What You Need:

• Sectioned veggie tray, or any tray with multiple sections (and ideally a center section, too)
• 20 pennies, erasers, plastic rings, or other small items
• Small sticky notes, or scrap paper and tape

What You Do:

1. Take a dozen or so sticky notes and write different number (1–12) on each of them. For a very small child, you can provide a “clue,” by drawing dots beside the number. With an older preschooler, include the name of the number, in addition to the numeral. For example, you would write both “five” and “5”.
2. Place a numbered sticky note in each section of the veggie tray.
3. Put the pennies, erasers, or other small items in the center section, where the dip would normally go. Ask your child to pick a “section” and identify the number. Next, tell them they're going to find that number of items.
4. Help them count each penny individually, saying the number aloud, and then moving the coins into the section as they go. 
5. Repeat with each of the sections, working on one number at a time. When your child has finished all the sections of the tray, you can reset it with new numbers, or keep practicing the same ones until they've got them down pat.