Skip counting is the practice of counting forward in equal steps rather than one by one. By 2s, by 5s, by 10s, and eventually by other numbers too. It is one of the first big mathematical ideas young children encounter.
If your child can count by 5s fluently, they are already moving through the 5 times table without realizing it. That rhythmic, intuitive feel for equal groups is precisely what multiplication builds on later.
We love working on it at Mathnasium, but it is also perfectly teachable at home.
Our tutors put together this guide for parents of young learners, with a clear sequence of activities to make skip counting a natural part of how your child thinks about numbers.
Every new math skill grows out of something your child already understands. With skip counting, that starting point is regular counting, and a quick check before moving forward goes a long way.
Ask your child to count forward from 1 to 20, then backward from 20 to 1. If that feels comfortable and unhurried, you're ready to take the next step. If it still takes effort, spend a few more days here before moving on.
When forward and backward counting feel natural, introduce the idea of groups. Try any of these:
Pairs of fingers, counted in twos
Small toys or crayons arranged in groups of five
Snacks lined up in rows of ten
Point to each group and ask them to count the groups instead of the individual objects. From counting things to counting groups of things, that's where skip counting begins.
Counting fingers in groups is skip counting before it has a name.
Counting in groups is a great start. The next step is making those sequences visible so your kid can see the pattern instead of just hearing it.
A number line or hundred chart is all you need. Have them color or highlight the skip-count numbers, all the 2s in one color, and all the 5s in another, then point to each one and say it aloud.
The pattern that appears on the page is often the first time a child sees math as something predictable and beautiful:
Numbers in the 2s always end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8
Numbers in the 5s always end in 0 or 5
Numbers in the 10s always end in 0
Let them sit with what they see. The patterns they notice for themselves, without being told what to look for, are the ones that build lasting number sense.
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Young students learn through their bodies as much as their minds, and skip counting is no exception.
Movement gives memory two anchors instead of one: the number and the physical sensation that goes with it.
The simplest version is jump-and-count. Jump on the spot while calling out "2, 4, 6, 8" or "5, 10, 15, 20," one jump per number. The sequence stops feeling like a list and starts feeling like a rhythm.
Hopscotch works beautifully here, too. Write skip-count numbers in the squares and step on each one, calling it out on landing. Puddle-stomping on a rainy day works just as well, with numbers called out at each stomp.
The body remembers what it has practiced. By the time pencil meets paper, the sequence is already in there.
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Skip counting doesn't have to feel like a practice session. It shows up naturally in daily life, and points out that it lands well with young learners.
Nickels are natural 5s counters. Line them up and count by 5s to find the total, and the sequence suddenly has a job to do.
Buttons, crayons, or small toys work for any sequence, grouped and counted as part of an afternoon activity with no worksheets in sight.
The clock face is particularly good for 5s. Counting by 5s around the dial, 5, 10, 15, 20, connects the sequence directly to telling time, something young children are eager to learn.
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There's a reason kids remember nursery rhymes for years. Set skip counting to a beat or a silly chant, and the sequence gets the same treatment.
Find a skip-count song on YouTube, make one up together, or simply clap a beat and count along. The sillier the better at this age.
Turn-taking adds a social layer that keeps things lively. Try a call-and-response: you say "2," they say "4," you say "6." Or pass a ball back and forth, one number per toss. The gentle accountability of waiting for the other person's turn keeps focus in a way that solo practice rarely does.
After enough rounds of this, the sequence has simply become part of how they count.
Mathnasium uses personalized learning and interactive teaching techniques to help young learners build lasting math foundations.
Mathnasium is a math-only learning center helping students of all skill levels excel in math.
For our youngest learners, that means two dedicated programs built around where they are developmentally.
Our early childhood program, designed for ages 4–6, builds the number sense and mathematical thinking that make elementary school feel manageable from day one. Our elementary school program picks up from there, laying the foundations that every future math concept will build on.
Behind both programs is the Mathnasium Method™, our proprietary teaching approach. Unlike a one-size-fits-all curriculum, it adapts to each child and the pace at which they are ready to move forward.
Each student begins with a diagnostic assessment that feels less like a test and more like a relaxed conversation. We explore what your child already understands, where they might need support, and how they naturally think about math. From those insights, we build a personalized learning plan tailored to their needs.
Our specially trained tutors then deliver face-to-face instruction guided by that plan, adapting in real time to how each child is thinking. We use verbal, visual, mental, tactile, and written techniques so that math concepts land in a way that makes sense.
We give children room to work through a problem on their own before stepping in, because learning to trust their own thinking is part of the process. We don't just confirm answers either. We guide children to understand the how and the why behind each concept, and over time, that builds lasting problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Fun is an important part of how we work. Sessions are often game-based, progress is celebrated at every step, and our reward systems keep young learners motivated and aware of how far they've come.
And the results speak for themselves:
94% of parents report an improvement in their child's math skills and understanding
93% of parents report their child's improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium
90% of students saw an improvement in their school grades
We operate over 1,100 learning centers across North America, bringing our proven approach close to your community.
Families in and near Anthem, AZ, are in good hands with our local team at Mathnasium of Anthem AZ, with years of experience building confident young learners.
If you'd like to see your child grow into a confident math thinker, we'd love to be part of that journey.
📅 Schedule a Free Assessment at Mathnasium of Anthem AZ
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Mathnasium of Anthem AZ is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in Anthem, AZ. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in center and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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