This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #197, Skip Counting. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about ARIS here.
Skip counting is counting forward or backward by any number that is not one. This counting is important as it provides an essential tool that can support autistic students as they learn many other math skills. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and general number sense are all arithmetic operations that skip counting can help students learn. Skip counting also has several real-life applications such as counting money and telling time!
As skip counting involves reciting multiples, memorization is key! Songs, nursery rhymes, and music are a great way to supplement teaching students to skip count. Many classrooms integrate music into teaching as a way to enhance students’ learning and retention. Rhythmic and melodic patterns in music allow autistic students to organize auditory information and help memorize academic facts.1 In addition, embedding music into math also allows a multimodal, multi-sensory approach that enhances autistic students’ experiences in learning and memorization.2
Recognizing the importance and benefits of skip counting, we have curated a list of five of the best skip counting songs for instruction for autistic students based on nursery rhymes. Many of these songs can be used with any number to skip count, including 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s, and 25s. Check out the songs and their accompanying links below!
Skip to My Lou
Skip count, skip count, count by 2s
Skip count, skip count, count by 2s
Skip count, skip count, count by 2s
Count by 2s to 20
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
Count by 2s to 20
Where Is Thumbkin?
Time to skip count
Time to skip count
Count by 5s
Count by 5s
We can count to 50
We can count to 50
Skip counting
Skip counting
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40, 45, and 50
Count with me
Count with me
London Bridge
I can skip count by 10
Count by 10
Count by 10
I can skip count by 10
To 100
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Skip skip skip count
25 to start
Add the numbers together
Because I am so smart
25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200
Start at 20 and skip count
I can find the right amount
20, 40, 60, 80
100, and 120
140 and 160
180 and 200
References
Sharda, M., Tuerk, C., Chowdhury, R., Jamey, K., Foster, N., Custo-Blanch, M., Tan, M., Nadig, A., & Hyde, K. (2018). Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism. Translational Psychiatry, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3
Su, H. F., Lai, L., & Rivera, H. J. (2010). Using an exploratory approach to help children with autism learn mathematics. Creative Education, 01(03), 149–153. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2010.13023
This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #197, Skip Counting. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about ARIS here.
