Parent guide
What your child learns
- Saying the numbers 1 to 5 in order
- Matching one finger to one seed, so each thing gets one number
- Seeing what each number looks like as a written numeral
- That the last number you say tells you how many there are
What happens in the video
Zaviyar walks in carrying an empty plate. Bulbul flutters down and drops a seed on it, then another, then another.
Zimal sits down on the rug and counts each seed as it lands, holding up one more finger every time. The numbers 1 to 5 sit along the top of the screen and light up one by one as she counts.
When the fifth seed lands, Zimal holds up her whole hand. Five seeds, five fingers, five. Then the three friends count it all again together, a little faster the second time.
Why one to one matters
Lots of little ones can say one, two, three, four, five long before they can count five things. Saying the words is a rhyme. Counting means each word belongs to exactly one thing.
That is what Zimal does with her fingers. One seed lands, one finger goes up, one number is said. Grown ups call it one to one correspondence, and it is the real start of maths.
Before you press play
Hold up one hand and wiggle each finger as you count to five together. It turns the video into a game your child already knows.
Counting the right way
Touch or point to each thing once as you say each number. One touch, one number. This matters more than saying the numbers fast.
If your child skips a number or counts the same seed twice, that is completely normal. Count it again slowly together, and keep it fun.
While you watch
- Each time Zimal holds up her fingers, hold up yours too.
- Point to the numbers at the top of the screen as they light up.
- Watch it twice. Little ones join in much more on the second go.
Three things to do after
- Count snacks onto a plate. Put out five raisins or crackers and count them together before eating. Please stay close, since small foods are a choking risk for under 3s.
- Go on a counting walk. Count five steps, five cars or five flowers on your next walk.
- Finger show. Call out a number from 1 to 5 and let your child show it on their fingers, then swap roles.
