Imagine looking at a dice and instantly knowing it’s “five” without counting the dots one by one. That quick, effortless recognition of a small number of items is called subitizing.
It’s a foundational math skill that might seem simple, but the research is clear: teaching subitizing in kindergarten gives children a significant head start in their mathematical journey.
Here is a simple explanation of why kindergarten teachers should prioritize subitizing. Not only is teaching subitizing a vital skill, but it can be fun, too!
What Exactly Is Subitizing?
Subitizing (pronounced soo-bi-tize-ing) comes from a Latin word meaning “suddenly.” It’s the ability to instantly perceive the quantity of a small collection of objects (usually up to five or six items) without using the strategy of counting.
There are two main types:
- Perceptual Subitizing: Instant recognition of quantities presented in common, organized patterns, like dots on a dice or a domino.
- Conceptual Subitizing: Seeing small groups within a larger group and instantly adding them together (e.g., seeing two groups of three dots and knowing it’s six total).
Why Should Kindergarten Teachers Teach Subitizing?
Teaching children to subitize is about much more than just learning numbers; it’s about training their brains to see and understand quantity immediately. This skill acts as a crucial bridge between informal counting methods and a deeper, more conceptual understanding of mathematics. Check out a few fun ideas HERE.
1. It Builds a Strong “Number Sense”
Number sense is a child’s intuitive understanding of numbers and their relationships. It’s arguably the most important foundational math skill. Subitizing is a direct pipeline to developing this number sense. It helps children understand that a number represents a specific quantity, not just the last word they say when counting (“one, two, three“).
2. It Improves Counting Efficiency
While the goal is to stop counting, subitizing actually makes counting better. It helps children keep track of groups they have already counted and encourages them to count on from a known quantity rather than starting at one every single time.
3. It’s The Basis for Addition and Subtraction
When a child can instantly see three objects and two objects, they are already visually grasping the concept of 3 + 2 = 5. This visual grouping is a prerequisite for developing sophisticated addition and subtraction strategies later on, such as mental math and composing/decomposing numbers.
A Few Games
Check out a bunch of fun math games to help practice this fun skill! Here are a few:
Do you do a lot of subitizing practice? I’d love to hear any ideas that you have so please comment below!
Teach Magically,
Debora
