How to Teach Counting with the Fish & Count Learning Game
By Melissa & Doug: #1 Preschool Brand For Wooden Toys | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn step-by-step how to use the K's Kids Fish & Count Learning Game to teach counting, sorting, and number recognition to your toddler through playful fishing.
Quick answer
The K's Kids Fish & Count Learning Game turns fishing into a hands-on counting lesson. Use the self-stick rod and numbered fish to practice number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and sorting by color or size.
Why this game works for early math skills
Young children learn best through movement and repetition. The Fish & Count Learning Game combines fine motor practice with early number concepts, letting kids physically pick up a fish and count it. The colorful, shaped pieces naturally invite sorting and matching, which builds the foundation for addition and subtraction later on.
One trade-off: the self-stick bait can lose its grip over time if not stored properly. Keep the felt pieces clean and avoid leaving the rod attached to a fish when not in use to extend the stickiness.
How to teach counting with the Fish & Count Learning Game
- Set up a small fishing pond: Lay the fish pieces on a flat surface or in a shallow container. Scatter them so your child can reach each one easily. Start with just 3-5 fish to avoid overwhelming a beginner. Keep the fish count low at first — too many pieces can distract from the counting goal.
- Model the fishing motion and count aloud: Hold the rod, lower the bait onto a fish, and lift it out. Say the number on the fish as you catch it: "You caught fish number three!" Repeat this several times before asking your child to try. Children need to see the action paired with the number before they can do it themselves. Rushing this step often leads to confusion.
- Let your child fish and count the catch: Hand the rod to your child and encourage them to catch one fish at a time. After each catch, help them say the number and place the fish in a row. Once all fish are caught, count the row together from 1 to the total number. If your child skips a number or loses track, gently point to each fish and count again together. Avoid correcting sharply — the goal is positive repetition.
- Extend the lesson with sorting and matching: After counting, ask your child to group the fish by color or shape. For example: "Put all the red fish together." Then count how many are in each group. This builds sorting skills and reinforces one-to-one correspondence. Sorting is a separate skill — don't combine it with counting until your child is comfortable with both tasks individually.
Product facts
- K’s Kids Fish & Count Learning Game: The game includes a squeezable rod with self-stick bait that attaches to felted fish pieces, and the printed fabrics offer counting, sorting, matching, and color recognition opportunities. This means one toy naturally supports several early math skills, so you don't need separate tools for counting, sorting, and color matching.
K’s Kids Fish & Count Learning Game
