Take the same game described above for Quick Counting and have the
children see the figure or pile of sticks for just a moment, then cover
them and let them count from their visual picture and tell the number,
rather than by the actual count as before. They can also have a handful
of sticks in their hands and each try to arrange a group of sticks
which is the duplicate of the one they have been observing.
The game of dominoes is good for small children in helping them to
count quickly and accurately. Use a row of dominoes instead of sticks
and have the children count the number of spots from their mind's eye
picture.
For variety use any objects, let the child look at a flag and count the
stars. Have him count the number of squares in a colonial window; the
number of books on a shelf; the number of sections in the radiator.
Anything of this kind can be easily used. Give him only a glance, do
not allow time enough for an actual count. In each case let the time
allowed for each exercise be less than required to count the objects.