Numbers & math
Stair counting
- Builds: Counting out loud
- 10 min
- Ages 1–3
- Energetic
- No mess
From the house
- Stairs or a row of cushions
How to play
- Start at the bottom of the stairs holding their hand, or line up cushions on the floor.
- Climb one step at a time and count out loud: “One, two, three.”
- Stop after three steps, cheer, and come back down holding hands, counting again.
- Next time, try four steps, then five.
Fit it to your child
- Easier: Crawl up two steps together and slide back down feet first on their tummy, saying “up” and “down”.
- Harder: Count up to ten steps holding the rail, and count backwards on the way down.
Words to use
- one
- two
- three
- up
- down
Why it helps
Saying one number for each step links counting words to real things, one at a time.
Grown-up eyes: Stay right beside or below them on the stairs, keep 1- and 2-year-olds to the bottom few steps, and close any stair gate afterwards.