We do not need to decide when our kids “need” to learn to count and write.
If they see us modeling counting and writing authentically, they will be interested in it and pursue it when their brains are ready to figure it out.
Count things when things need to be counted! Count them out loud in front of your child without quizzing them or drilling them.
I’d argue that you don’t even need to correct them when they try to copy you and get it wrong. (My kid is still in that cute stage where she can’t stop counting, so if she counts any group of anything, she “counts” it to ten. Holds up two toys, “Look Mom! One…two…three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!”) (And my other kid happily counted six fingers on his hand the other day because he got confused and counted one twice.)
Kids learn everything through playing. When they play “restaurant” and they serve you something nonsensical, or they tell you that the food costs one thousand dollars, you don’t tell them “Sorry buddy, that’s not a normal amount to charge. Study up on your menu pricing before we play this game again,” because it’s obvious to an adult that it’s a game and that they’re still learning concepts like “how much do things cost” and “how does paying for things work”. It’s the same with early writing and early math, too. It just feels like they “should” be more able to get those things right, so adults get wrapped up in correcting them in order to teach them to do it the “right” way.
Just let them play. Just let them play! And let them hear and see you counting and writing and spelling too!
[Image description: The background image is of a bin filled with ocean-themed toys. The image is very faded out. Over top of it is a quote which reads, “Slow down. I promise your child will learn how to write their name and count to ten when THEY are ready. Instead we SHOULD work on resilience, independence, perseverance, and happiness! All of which are nurtured through PLAY!” The image was made by Sally Wright and The Ark Groups, whose watermark is in the bottom right corner. End description.]
