Count to ten in a language that isn't English!
Learn to count from one to ten in a language besides English, practice pronunciation aloud, write numerals, and play a simple matching game.
Step-by-step guide to count to ten in a language that isn't English!
Spanish for Kids - Part 7 - Numbers Zero to Ten
Step 1
Pick a language that is not English to learn to count in.
Step 2
Find the words for numbers one to ten in that language using a book a parent or a trusted website.
Step 3
Listen to or read each number and say each one aloud slowly two times.
Step 4
Cut or gather ten small cards from paper or use ten index cards.
Step 5
Write one numeral on each card from 1 to 10 using your pencil.
Step 6
Make ten more cards and write the matching number word in your chosen language on each one.
Step 7
Decorate each numeral card and its matching word card with the same color or sticker.
Step 8
Shuffle all the cards and place them face down in a spread.
Step 9
Turn over two cards to try to match a numeral card with its word card.
Step 10
If the two cards match keep them if they do not flip them back and try two new cards.
Step 11
Continue playing until you have found and kept all the matching pairs.
Step 12
Say each matched number aloud three times to practice pronunciation.
Step 13
Make a small chart showing each numeral the word in your chosen language and how to say it.
Step 14
Share a photo of your cards and chart and tell what you learned on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have index cards?
If you don't have index cards, cut ten small cards from scrap paper or cereal-box cardboard as directed in 'Cut or gather ten small cards from paper or use ten index cards' and use those for both the numeral and word cards.
We're struggling with pronunciation and remembering matches—what helps?
If pronunciation or memory is a problem, have the child listen to an audio from a trusted website and say each number aloud slowly two times (step 3) before playing and then say each matched number aloud three times after keeping it (step 11) to reinforce learning.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger children, make five large, brightly colored numeral–word pairs instead of ten and have a parent read the words aloud, while older kids can expand to 1–20, add transliterations on the word cards, and introduce timed matching rounds after step 9.
How can we extend or personalize the game?
Enhance the activity by decorating each matching pair uniquely (step 6), laminating cards for durability, adding phonetic spellings and a small flag to your chart (step 12), and recording a short audio to upload with your DIY.org photo (step 13).
Watch videos on how to count to ten in a language that isn't English!
Numbers in Spanish 1-10 | Spanish Learning for Kids
4 Videos
Numbers in Spanish 1-10 | Spanish Learning for Kids
Spanish for Kids - Part 2 - Counting to Five
Count to 10 and 20 and Practice Phrases | English to Spanish
Numbers 1 to 10 | Spanish for Kids | Year 1 | KS1
Facts about language learning for kids
🔢 There are only ten digits (0–9) in the decimal system because people traditionally counted on their ten fingers.
🇨🇳 In Mandarin Chinese, the numbers 1–10 are written 一, 二, 三, 四, 五, 六, 七, 八, 九, 十 and pronounced yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ, liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí.
🇪🇸 Spanish uses uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez for 1–10 and Spanish is one of the world’s most widely spoken native languages.
🔤 The numerals 0–9 are called "Arabic numerals" in English but they originated in India and reached Europe via Arab scholars.
🎵 Singing or clapping along to a counting song in a new language can help kids remember 1–10 much faster than memorizing alone.
How do I teach my child to count to ten in a language other than English?
What materials do I need to teach my child to count to ten in another language?
What ages is this counting-in-another-language activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of learning to count to ten in another language?
