Want to Boost Early Math Skills? Start With This Joyful Preschool Read-Aloud
- Emma Tipping
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Read this Counting Book Aloud with your Preschoolers for Serious (and fun!) Math Learning!
Are you looking for easy (and fun!) ways to launch your preschooler’s math journey? Look no further than Digit Chomps to 10, a preschool counting book that I lovingly wrote and illustrated specifically for parents and kids to enjoy together.
My favorite thing about this book? Hands down, it’s how reading it aloud supercharges one of the most important math skills of the entire preschool window: counting to 10. We all know snuggly story time is a huge part of early literacy—your kid tucked under your arm, discovering new words, pointing at pictures, asking funny questions. Isn’t it wonderful to know that with the right book, those sweet moments can unlock big math learning too?
And don’t be fooled by the fluffy puppy: this is serious stuff, folks. There is hardcore math learning built right into Digit Chomps to 10 because it’s designed for read-aloud. The PK–5 math experts I worked with (including Singapore Math editors!) made sure every page supports essential early-number development.
Build these 5 Early Math Skills by Reading Digit Aloud with your Preschooler!
Below are the 5 vital early math lessons your preschooler naturally absorbs as they listen to you read aloud Digit Chomps to 10.
1. Number Word Vocabulary
The First Math Skill Your Preschooler Learns Through Read-Alouds
The very first part of counting is… not actually counting! It’s learning the number words. “One, two, three” are among the most essential vocabulary terms your child will ever learn. Since preschoolers can’t read yet, the only way they absorb these words is by hearing them spoken aloud—over and over—by you.
Read-Aloud Tip:Invite your child to echo the number word after you. If Digit chomps 3 hats, first you say “three,” then ask, “How many hats did Digit chomp?” This isn’t counting yet—this is vocabulary building.
2. Number Word Order
How Read-Aloud Routines Teach Your Child the Counting Sequence
Once they know the number words, your preschooler starts noticing that you say them in a specific order. This is like learning a song—there’s a pattern, and it’s always the same. Every time your child hears numbers spoken in a row, they’re learning sequence, which later becomes the backbone of actual counting.
Read-Aloud Tip:Have your child repeat short sequences—just 2 or 3 numbers at first. Say “one, two, three” and let them echo without needing to count objects. Once familiar, mix it up: “six, seven, eight.” Kids love quick car quizzes: “What comes after 4?”
3. One-to-One Association (or 1-to-1 Correspondence)
The Big Math Breakthrough Your Child Practices While You Read Together
This is where the real “ah-ha!” math moment happens. One-to-one association is your child learning that number words map onto actual objects. At first, kids often rattle off a string of numbers (their sequencing!) but not end on the correct quantity. That’s normal. As you read Digit again and again, they slowly learn to match each number word to each object. Touch. By. Touch.
Read-Aloud Tip:As Digit eats 4 pizza slices, touch each slice as you say each number. Encourage your preschooler to do it with you. Celebrate wildly when it clicks! That moment deserves all the hoorays and cuddles.
4. Number Symbols
How Seeing Numerals During Read-Alouds Strengthens Early Math Understanding
When I was illustrating this book, I spent a lot of time with my math editor and Singapore Math discussing whether the text should say “5 pizza slices” or “five pizza slices.” We intentionally chose numerals because during a read-aloud, the child hears the number word and sees the symbol at the same time. That pairing is gold for early math learning.
Read-Aloud Tip:Once they’re familiar with the book, point to the numeral on each page and ask, “What number is this?”
5. Cardinality
Why Reading Counting Books Helps Kids Understand “How Many?”
Cardinality is the big one—the understanding that the final number you say when counting tells you how many there are. Adults take this for granted, but for preschoolers it’s deep, abstract thinking. This skill forms the foundation for all later arithmetic.
Read-Aloud Tip:Use the same routine as one-to-one association, but after counting, pause and say: “Digit chomped 5 pizza slices.” You can count, then ask them “How many?” Or let them count and check in: “How many did you get?”
Keep Counting Fun: Support Your Preschooler’s Math Confidence During Read-Aloud Time
The most important thing when reading Digit Chomps to 10 aloud with your preschooler is keeping the vibe fun, safe, and loving. Counting takes time. Skills develop unevenly. Vocabulary is different from one-to-one association. Your child might be speedy in one area and slow in another. That’s okay! Growth looks different for every preschooler.
Even If They Aren’t Repeating Words Yet… Your Preschooler Is Still Learning Real Math
Just because your child isn’t repeating words back yet doesn’t mean they’re not learning. Some kids are verbal sponges; others stay quiet for months and then come out speaking in full paragraphs.
My daughter said “hi!” to strangers in checkout lines at 9 months. My son? He was almost 2 before he said anything we could identify as a “first word”, and then it was full sentences. The learning was happening silently the whole time.
So keep snuggling. Keep reading. Keep counting with Digit. They’re soaking up every bit.
Build Early Math Skills the Sweet, Joyful Way (with Digit!)
If you want a sweet, joyful way to build your child’s early math confidence (while also enjoying some seriously cute puppy antics), grab your copy of Digit Chomps to 10 today. It’s the perfect read-aloud for bedtime, classrooms, or cozy Sunday mornings, and every page is designed to help your preschooler grow their number sense the fun, meaningful way.
FAQ's
What is Digit Chomps to 10?
Digit Chomps to 10 is a joyful preschool counting book designed to help young children learn to count through a fun, interactive read-aloud experience. Every page supports essential early math skills like number words, sequencing, and one-to-one counting.
How does reading Digit Chomps to 10 aloud help my preschooler learn early math skills?
Read-aloud time is where early math learning truly comes alive. When you read Digit Chomps to 10 aloud, your preschooler hears number words spoken clearly, sees number symbols on the page, and practices one-to-one counting, all of which build a strong foundation for learning to count!
Is Digit Chomps to 10 a good counting book for preschool and kindergarten?
Yes! This counting book was created with PK–5 math experts to support preschool and kindergarten learners. The read-aloud format helps children understand number sequence, number symbols, and cardinality—the core early math skills needed before formal addition and subtraction.
Can a counting read-aloud really improve early math skills?
Absolutely. Research shows that reading counting books aloud helps preschoolers build vocabulary, recognize numerals, and understand quantity. Digit Chomps to 10 is specifically designed to strengthen these skills through repetition, visuals, and meaningful parent–child interaction.
What early math skills does Digit Chomps to 10 teach?
This preschool counting book supports five essential early math skills through the simple act of reading aloud with your child:
number word vocabulary
number word order
one-to-one counting
recognizing number symbols
cardinality (“how many?”)
How is Digit Chomps to 10 different from other preschool counting books?
Unlike many counting books, Digit Chomps to 10 is intentionally designed for read-aloud learning. The book pairs spoken number words with printed numerals, uses clear object groupings for counting practice, and supports intentional math development—not just cute illustrations (though the puppy is VERY cute).
What age is best for Digit Chomps to 10?
This counting book is perfect for ages 2–5. Preschoolers gain early math confidence through repeated read-alouds, while pre-K and kindergarten children strengthen their number sense and “learning to count” foundations.
How can I use Digit Chomps to 10 at home or in the classroom?
Use it as a bedtime read-aloud, circle-time counting book, or small-group early math activity. Touch the objects as you count, invite your preschooler to echo number words, and ask “how many?” to reinforce cardinality. Each read builds stronger early math skills.
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