Why You Shouldn’t Ask “How Many?” – A Fresh Take on Early Maths
When you see your child playing with blocks, buttons, or toy cars, it’s natural to ask,
👉 “How many do you have?”
After all, learning to count is a key part of early maths… right?
Well, yes — but here’s the thing: asking “how many?” too soon, too often, or on repeat might actually get in the way of deeper mathematical thinking. At Jump Start Maths, we encourage a different kind of question:
🧠 “What do you notice?”
👀 “What do you see?”
Let’s explore why this small shift can have a big impact.
❌ The Problem with “How Many?”
Asking “how many?” is often seen as the go-to way to explore maths with little ones. And while counting is important, it’s not the whole story — especially not at first.
Children can learn to recite numbers in order (1, 2, 3...) without truly understanding what those numbers mean. They might be able to count five buttons, but do they see that five is made of 2 and 3? Or that four is one less than five?
🔢 Focusing only on counting can lead to shallow learning.
✅ A Better Way: Talk About What They See
When we ask children “what do you see?” we’re encouraging them to:
Spot patterns and groups
Notice how numbers are composed
Use their own language to describe what they’re thinking
Build reasoning skills that last beyond early years
It’s the foundation of a powerful skill called subitising — recognising how many items are in a group without counting.
For example:
Show your child three toy animals grouped as 2 and 1.
Instead of saying “how many animals?” try “what do you notice?”
They might say, “I see two and one,” or “it looks like a triangle.”
This kind of thinking supports early addition and number sense — way before formal sums.
🎯 Subitising = Real Maths Thinking
Subitising is a key focus in our Jump Start Maths classes for children aged 2.5–5. Instead of drilling counting, we explore numbers through:
✋ Finger patterns and body movement
🐚 Natural materials like pebbles and leaves
🎲 Dice, dominoes, and sensory play
🧩 Storytelling, songs and active games
We help children build the meaning of numbers before expecting them to count or write them.
🏡 Try It at Home:
Next time your child is playing, pause before you ask “how many?”
Instead, try one of these:
👁️ “What do you see?”
🧠 “What’s the same or different?”
🧩 “Can you see any patterns?”
🗣️ “Tell me about what’s in front of you.”
These open questions spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in maths.
💬 Final Thoughts
Counting is important — but it’s not the only tool in your child’s maths toolbox. You’re helping your child become a confident, flexible thinker by asking richer questions and encouraging playful noticing.
At Jump Start Maths, we’re passionate about helping little ones fall in love with numbers through movement, fun, and meaningful learning — not rote counting.
🟢 Want to see it in action? Book one of our upcoming taster sessions!
👉 www.jumpstartmaths.com/booking
📲 Follow us on Instagram/Facebook: @JumpStartMaths