1:1 Correspondence and its importance in numeracy
1:1 correspondence is a foundation level mathematics skill that is vital for expanding understanding of numeracy. The important numeracy concept can be hard to grasp for some children which is why it is vital to give children some extra practice and help in an engaging manner.
”Mastering one-to-one correspondence is essential for organized, meaningful counting. This leads to an eventual ability to perform higher-level calculations” (McCarthy, 2009).
It is important to identify that counting to 10 and recognising the number 10 are two different skills. One to one corresponence is linking numbers to objects, counting with an understanding. This can be evident through seeing a child pointing at an object that matches with the counting sequence. One to one correspondence is the ability to match one object to one(corresponding) number or object.
Below is a video explaining one to one correspondence in further detail:
What you might see in a classroom
Number Fishing:
Using tongs a child will choose a number randomly. They will then need to go fishing for that number, collecting a corresponding amount of fishes. this game can be played to fish different amounts of numbers and taking turns with other children.
Dice game:
Children will roll a dice, using an ice cube tray they will fill the number rolled with corresponding small pom poms or any small objects that are easily accessible. The aim is to fill the ice tray up. This can be done individually or making it competive by playing it with other children.
image retrieved from: www.pinterest.com
Image retrieved from:www.pre-kpages.com
What parents can do:
incorporate 1:1 correspondence into everyday activities:
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Count your fingers and toes
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Count all of the animals in the book.
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Counting the number of dogs you see on a walk.
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Counting the number of blue cars you see during a drive.
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Count the number of knives and forks needed to set the dinner table.
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Games:
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hide and seek
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What's the time Mr Wolf
Books, songs and rhymes are fantastic ways to build on a childs one to one correspondence in an engaging way. There are many resources out there that you can use and alternate to make learning interesting and fun.
Songs that can help:
One, Two, Three, Four, Five
Ten Silly Monkeys
Five green and freckled frogs
5 Little ducks
Books to foster learning of one to one correspondence:
Australian Curriculum Links
ACMNA289 | Content description | Foundation Year | Mathematics | Number and Algebra | Number and place value
Content Descriptor: Compare, order and make correspondences between collections, initially to 20, and explain reasoning
Elaborations:
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comparing and ordering items of like and unlike characteristics using the words ‘more’, ‘less’, ‘same as’ and ‘not the same as’ and giving reasons for these answers
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understanding and using terms such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ to indicate ordinal position in a sequence.
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using objects which are personally and culturally relevant to students
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Links to the Early Years Learning Framework
OUTCOME 5: CHILDREN ARE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
• Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
• Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts
• Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media
• Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
• Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (2010). Becoming, Being and Belonging: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Canberra, ACT: DEEWR.
Retrieved from: http://files.acecqa.gov.au/files/National-Quality-Framework-Resources-Kit/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_
framework_for_australia.pdf
ACARA Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Australian Curriculum. Retrieved from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/