What does the 2nd Level of Counting involve?

The 2nd Level of Counting focuses on building a child's understanding and mastery of numbers beyond the foundational counting principles, which often include recognizing and writing small numbers. At this level, children begin to interact with "teen" numbers, which are crucial as they bridge the gap between basic counting and more complex numerical concepts.

Understanding "teen" numbers is essential because it helps children grasp the concept that these numbers are composed of a ten and additional units (e.g., 11 is one ten and one). This level emphasizes not just the memorization of these numbers but also fostering a conceptual understanding of how they relate to one another and to the numbers around them.

In contrast, recognizing shapes, identifying categories of items, and using numbers for measurement, while all important aspects of early childhood education, do not specifically address the core principles associated with counting at this advanced level. The focus here is primarily on developing a deeper comprehension of numerical values and relationships as kids advance through their mathematical learning journey.