Before children can read a sentence, they need to know that it is made of separate words with spaces between them. A spoken sentence runs together, but a written one shows each word on its own, and counting the words is how a child begins to see this. On this page every item is a short sentence, from two words to seven, and the child counts the words and writes the number. The sentences are in plain, familiar words with a capital letter at the start and a period at the end, so the page also shows what a sentence looks like.
Support sheets use sentences of two to four words. Standard sheets go up to six, and challenge sheets use sentences of four to seven words. Touch each word with a pencil while saying it aloud, and a child will not skip or double any. Then say a sentence and tap out the words on the table.
What your child will learn
See that a sentence is made of separate words
Count the words in a sentence
Touch and say each word once
Write a number from 2 to 7
Common Core standard: RF.K.1.C
Worked example
The sentence is: The cat naps. Touch each word: The (1) cat (2) naps (3). There are 3 words.
Common mistake
Counting letters, or counting a short word such as a or I as part of the next word.
Helpful hint
Touch each word with your pencil and say a number for each one.