Let's Count

Children who start school behind in maths generally stay behind.

Numeracy is a foundation skill for successful participation in our society – individuals need it for budgeting, taking medication and employment. The STEM disciplines – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - are key underpinnings for the future of innovative economies, with an increased global reliance on these knowledge areas.

Let’s Count is an early mathematics program for children aged three to five, developed by The Smith Family and Professor Bob Perry from Charles Sturt University and Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni from Monash University.

The program supports parents and early years educators to develop the maths skills of the children in their care by noticing, exploring, and talking about numbers, counting, measurement and patterns in their daily lives.

Let's Count supports parents and early childhood educators to have the skills and confidence so they can develop the maths skills of the children in their care. The program emphasizes maths in the everyday, and helps children to see maths as relevant, stimulating and fun, which sets them up for future success.

“I wish that everybody had the opportunity to do Let’s Count, because I’ve just seen such big improvement in the children’s concepts of maths and preparing them for school net year...” - Let’s Count Educator

“…it was a nice reminder, just how simple maths things can be at home and uncomplicated and immediate in your environment around you.” - Let's Count Parent

Let's Count is a practical and tangible professional development opportunity for Early Years Professionals available via face to face workshops or via our online learning portal. 

Since its launch in 2009, Let’s Count has positively impacted over 168,000 children, parents and Early Years Professionals throughout Australia. To underpin its credibility, the program aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and meets National Quality Standard requirements. 


Download the Let’s Count Facebook Messenger bot resources for Early Years Professionals below

A3 Poster | Promo Postcard

The Let's Count Facebook Messenger bot is an interactive platform that uses everyday activities and objects to suggest ways in which parents and carers can support their children’s math's learning, like counting the change and weighing the fruit whilst out shopping.

The activities are all designed to help children to notice, explore and talk about mathematics.

Supported by funding from BOQ and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment under the National Innovation and Science Agenda.

A video interview showcasing the Let’s Count Program design review process which took place in 2021/22 from the perspective of the key stakeholders; The Smith Family, Stronger Smarter Institute and Peridot Education Consultants.

The Smith Family was able to undertake this project thanks to philanthropic funding from The Ian Potter Foundation and Equity Trustees - James Raymond Hartley Charitable Trust. We are so grateful to our supporters for seeing the importance of this work and so generously supporting it.