Babies Understand Counting Before Researchers Previously Thought, Study Says

ABC and one, two, three—here’s what your baby really understands.

By: Amanda Mushro

Related To:

A young mother teaching her baby daughter the basics of mathematics by using an abacus

452718401

A young mother teaching her baby daughter the basics of mathematics by using an abacus

Photo by: PeopleImages

PeopleImages

If you look up your toddler’s milestones, research has previously shown that kids begin counting around age 4. However, a new study suggests babies are a lot sharper than we think.

While your infant may still be working on words like Mamma and Dadda, you shouldn’t discount their math skills, a study by Johns Hopkins University reported. Researchers believe that infants as young as 14-18 months can understand that basic counting is related to quantity. How’s that for a baby genius?

“Although they are years away from understanding the exact meanings of number words, babies are already in the business of recognizing that counting is about number,” study author Lisa Feigenson said. “Research like ours shows that babies actually have a pretty sophisticated understanding of the world—they’re already trying to make sense of what adults around them are saying, and that includes this domain of counting and numbers.”

For the study, researchers worked with 14 and 18-month-old infants. The babies watched as toy dogs or toy cars were presented and then hidden in a box that they couldn't see, but could reach, inside of. During some of the trials, researchers “counted each toy aloud as they dropped them into the box, saying, ‘Look! One, two, three, four! Four dogs!’ Other times the researchers simply dropped each toy into the box, saying, ‘This, this, this, and this—these dogs.’”

What they found was that when researchers didn’t count aloud, the babies had a hard time remembering that the box held four toys. The babies would quickly become distracted after the researchers pulled out just one toy. However, when the researcher counted the toys as they went into the box, they found the babies clearly expected more than one to be pulled. While they didn't remember the exact number, the babies could remember approximately how many toys went into the box.

Feigenson said that parents shouldn’t be surprised, especially considering the activities we give to our little ones early on in their lives.

“We buy counting books for babies and we count aloud with toddlers,” Feigenson added. “All of that raises the question: Are kids really clueless about what counting means until they’re in the preschool years?”

What’s next for these counting babies? The next study will follow-up to see if early counting practices lead to stronger numerical skills later on, and how English-speaking babies react to counting in a foreign language.

So, the next time you are singing and playing with your infant, throw in a few numbers for a little learning session.

Next Up

Fall-Inspired Baby Names You’ll Love

Autumnal monikers for your little pumpkin!

Irish Baby Names for Your Wee Lass or Lad

From traditional to unique, these Irish baby names are great options for your little one.

25 Festive Baby Names for the Holiday Season

These meaningful, magical names are perfect for babies born in December!

The Top 10 Baby Name Trends for 2023

A bit of pop culture, short and sweet names, and vintage inspiration — these are the naming trends you’ll hear this year.

White Noise Machines May Be Dangerous for Infants, Study Says

Is it time to turn off the white noise machine in your baby’s nursery?

Drinking Caffeine While Pregnant Might Cause Your Kid to Be Shorter, Study Says

You may want to skip your daily cup of Joe if you have a little one on the way — here's why.

Vintage Baby Names That Need to Make a Comeback

These popular names of the past are unique and deserve a spot on the top baby name lists!

New Safety Rules for Baby Rockers — What Parents Need to Know

The new rules aim to reduce the risk of suffocation and accidents related to these popular items.