Why are the pictures scattered?

In a neat row children can spot how many without counting. Scattered pictures make them count one by one, touching each picture once, which is the skill these sheets practise.

Which is easier, write or circle?

Circling the right number is easier: children only need to recognise the numeral. Writing it asks them to form the numeral too. Start with circling, then move to writing.

Can every child get a different sheet?

Yes. Choose 5, 10 or 25 versions and every sheet has different pictures and numbers, each with its own answer key.

Do the pictures print in colour?

Yes, or choose Ink saver to print them as outlines children can colour in after counting.

Counting Worksheets: Count the Pictures to 5, 10 and 20

Counting is more than saying numbers

Children can often recite numbers long before they can count objects. Counting a scattered group asks them to match one number to one picture, keep track of what they have counted, and know that the last number says how many. These sheets practise all three.

How to use them

Start with counts to 5 and circling the number, then counts to 10, then writing. Counts to 20 suit UKG and Class 1, when children start to count larger groups.

NCF and NCERT links

LKGThe NCF-FS (C-8.3) has children counting objects up to 5, matching one number to each object and knowing that the last number tells how many.
UKGChildren count to 20 aloud and count up to 10 objects accurately in any order; NIPUN Bharat also expects numerals up to 10 in Balvatika.
Class 1Children count groups of more than 20 objects and begin to see them in tens.

The NCF-FS asks for counting with real things first, such as pebbles, seeds or bottle caps, and only then on paper. It also describes children recognising small groups at a glance without counting: 2 or 3 at about age 3, 4 by about age 5, and 6 by about age 6.

So use these sheets after children have counted the same numbers with objects. If a child miscounts, have them place a seed on each picture as they count it, then count the seeds.

Summarised in our own words from the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCERT, 2022) and the NIPUN Bharat guidelines (Ministry of Education, 2021).