Number as Attribute: How Many of What?

View more subitizing content on our website: Subitizing.

When determining the quantity of objects in a set, we first have to define the set. Are we counting apples? Kiwis? Fruits? Just like color or shape, quantity is one of the many attributes we can sort by. We can think of quantity as a number AND its unit – how many of what.
The way children think about number develops over time. As they go through preschool and kindergarten, children begin to perceive small quantities of objects quickly and without counting. We call this subitizing.

Additional Resources:

Preschoolers Matching Quantities (Dot Card Transition video)

Number Arrangement Activity (video)

Quantity Cards (1-10 in 4 suits) (download)

Quantity Cards (1-5 in 6 suits) (download)