Counting forwards and backwards

What is counting?

Counting means saying numbers in the right order. We count to find out how many things there are, to keep score, or to wait until it’s time to go ("ready or not, here I come!").

You can count in two directions:

• Forwards (counting up): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … Each number is one more than the one before.
• Backwards (counting down): 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 … Each number is one less than the one before.

A rocket launch is the most famous count down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!

The counting sequence

The order of numbers never changes. This fixed order is called the counting sequence:

Read the chart left to right to count forwards. Read it right to left to count backwards.

Starting anywhere

You don’t always have to start at 1. Starting from another number is called counting on. For example, start at 6 and count on: 7, 8, 9, 10.

Counting backwards from any number works the same way. Start at 15 and count back: 14, 13, 12, 11.

Counting on is very useful later when you add. To add 8 + 3, you can start at 8 and count on three more: 9, 10, 11.

Using a number line

A number line shows numbers in order with equal spaces.

0 — 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 — 10

• Move right to count forwards.
• Move left to count backwards.

Put your finger on a number and hop along one step at a time, saying each number as you land.

Worked examples

Example 1: Count backwards from 8 to 4.

Start at 8 and go down one each time: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.

Example 2: Count forwards from 17 to 22.

17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Notice that after 19 comes 20, a new ten.

Example 3: What number do you say just before 10 when counting backwards from 13?

13, 12, 11, 10. Before 10 you say 11.

Common mistakes

• Skipping a number, especially when counting backwards (saying 9, 7, 6). Go slowly and use a number line.
• Getting stuck at a decade change, like going from 29 to "twenty-ten". After 29 comes 30.
• Starting the count again from 1 when you could count on.

Games to practise

• Clap and count: clap once for every number as you count up to 20, then back down.
• Stairs: count up as you climb stairs and count down as you walk down.
• Hide and seek: count backwards from 20 instead of forwards.

Try it yourself

1. Count forwards from 5 to 10.
2. Count backwards from 12 to 7.
3. What comes after 39?
4. Start at 4 and count on 3 more. Where do you land?

Answers: 1) 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 2) 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 3) 40 4) 7

Quick recap

• Forwards means one more each time; backwards means one less each time.
• You can start counting at any number: this is counting on.
• A number line helps you see each step.