Frequently Asked Questions About Count & Do Toddler Books

Count & Do is a series of interactive board books designed for toddlers ages 0-4 that teach essential skills through movement, repetition, and song. Each book combines counting with action verbs (like "run," "jump," "spin") to build speech development, language skills, gross motor abilities, and number recognition simultaneously.

Our research-backed approach helps children learn 2-3x faster than traditional methods by engaging their whole body in the learning process.

As parents and caregivers we get to celebrate each milestone presented through each book in the series alongside our children.

Count & Do books are designed for children ages 0-4 years old:

• Ages 0-12 months: Babies benefit from hearing repetitive language, seeing high-contrast illustrations, and watching caregivers model movements
• Ages 1-2 years: Toddlers begin imitating movements and saying simple action words
• Ages 2-3 years: Children combine words ("dog run!") and refine gross motor skills
• Ages 3-4 years: Preschoolers master counting to 10, speak in complete sentences, and perform movements with coordination

The books grow with your child, offering different learning opportunities at each developmental stage.

We're launching with Run, Run, Run (Book 1), which takes a child through ten different active movements from "walk" to "run" while counting from 1 to 10. Future book topics in the series will include:

• Yum, Yum, Yum: mastering various eating movements and counting
• Wee, Wee, Weee: learning how to ride a bike
• Kick, throw, roll: learning how to play a sport
• And more essential action verbs tied to mastering each milestones!

Sign up for our email list to be notified when new books launch.

Movement-based learning is scientifically proven to accelerate language development. Here's how it works:

• Multi-sensory memory: When children move while learning a word, they create stronger neural connections by linking the word, action, and feeling together
• Increased blood flow to the brain: Physical activity improves focus, memory, and cognitive development
• Embodied learning: Acting out "run" creates a whole-body memory that lasts longer than just hearing or seeing the word
• Natural engagement: Toddlers learn best when they're actively participating, not passively watching

Research source: A 2022 systematic review of 29,460 schoolchildren found that learning through movement improves total time engaged in physical activity, motor skills, and academic performance (Petrigna et al., Frontiers in Pediatrics).

Action verbs (also called action words) are words that describe what someone or something is doing—like "run," "jump," "eat," "sleep," and "dance."

Why they matter:

• Building blocks of sentences: Toddlers can't form sentences without verbs. A child might say "dog" (noun) but needs "run" (verb) to say "dog run!"
• Functional communication: Verbs help children express needs ("help!"), actions ("go!"), and feelings ("like!")
• Grammar development: Research shows toddlers who use more verbs at 24 months have more advanced grammar skills six months later
• Predictive of language ability: Toddlers should add about 8 new verbs per month after age 2

Count & Do focuses on teaching one essential action verb deeply in each book, ensuring mastery before moving to the next.

Yes! Count & Do books are specifically designed to support speech development in several ways:

• Action verbs unlock communication: Many late-talking toddlers have plenty of nouns (names for things) but lack verbs (action words), which prevents them from forming sentences
• Repetition builds confidence: The predictable, repetitive text helps children learn words through joyful practice without pressure
• Movement reduces anxiety: Children who feel nervous about speaking often relax when learning through active play
• Multi-sensory learning: Seeing, hearing, and doing the action together creates stronger language memories

Note: If your child is 18+ months with no words, or 24+ months with fewer than 50 words, consult a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist for evaluation. Count & Do can complement speech therapy but isn't a replacement for professional evaluation.

Absolutely! Many parents use Count & Do books as part of their child's speech therapy routine. Here's why they're effective:

• Targets early verbs: Speech therapists prioritize teaching action verbs to children with language delays
• Repetition is therapeutic: Children with speech delays benefit from hearing and practicing words multiple times in engaging contexts
• Natural language modeling: Parents can model correct pronunciation while reading together
• Movement supports speech: Gross motor activities help develop the oral motor skills needed for speech
• Reduces frustration: Children learn to communicate basic needs and actions, reducing tantrums

Always consult with your child's speech therapist about incorporating books into their therapy plan.

Repetition is one of the most powerful learning tools for young children. Here's the science:

• Builds neural pathways: Each time a child hears/says a word, the brain strengthens the connection, turning short-term memory into long-term knowledge
• Creates predictability: Knowing what comes next helps children feel safe and confident, making them more receptive to learning
• Enables mastery: Children need 10-20+ exposures to truly learn a new word
• Natural brain preference: Toddlers instinctively request "again!" because their brains crave the repetition needed for learning

When you add rhythm and music to repetition (like in Count & Do), learning becomes even more powerful—children remember words in songs 3x better than words in regular speech.

Count & Do is built on decades of peer-reviewed research in child development, neuroscience, and education. Key studies include:

• Movement + Learning: A 2022 systematic review of 54 studies (29,460 children) found learning through movement improves motor skills, academic performance, and engagement (Petrigna et al.)
• Music + Memory: A 2024 study showed singing activities significantly improved children's memory, motivation, and creativity (Sutikno et al.)
• Verb Learning: Research shows toddlers who used more verbs at 24 months had more advanced grammatical skills 6 months later (Speech Sisters, 2024)
• Repetition + Language: Repeating object labels in successive sentences promotes young children's word learning efficiency (Lew-Williams et al., 2017)

See our Our Approach page for full research citations and detailed explanations.

Count & Do books are designed to be interactive and fun! Follow these steps:

1. First read-through: Read the text while showing your child the pictures. Model the movement yourself ("Look, I'm running!")
2. Invite participation: "Can you run with me?" Encourage your child to act out the movement
3. Sing it: Use the melody included in the book (or create your own!) to turn the text into a song
4. Count together: Point to each number and count aloud: "1... 2... 3..."
5. Repeat, repeat, repeat: Read the book multiple times. Repetition is where the learning happens!
6. Bring it to life: After reading, practice "running" around the house, counting to 10 as you go

Pro tip: Don't worry if your child won't sit still for the whole book. Toddlers learn through movement, so if they want to get up and run while you read, that's perfect!

Yes! The book is written with a rhythmic, repetitive structure that naturally becomes a song. You can:

• Use the suggested melody (included in the book)
• Create your own tune—whatever feels natural!

The key is repetition and rhythm. Children remember words in songs much better than words in regular speech, so singing the book makes learning stick!

As many times as they want! Seriously—toddlers thrive on repetition. Here's what's normal:

• In a row: It's completely normal for a child to want "again! again!" 3-10 times in one sitting
• Daily: Most toddlers want to read favorite books 2-5 times per day
• For weeks: Toddlers often fixate on one book for days or weeks before moving to a new favorite

This isn't annoying—it's learning! Each time you read, your child's brain is building stronger connections. Research shows children need 10-20+ exposures to truly master a new word.

Absolutely! Count & Do books are perfect for group settings:

• Circle time: Lead all children in acting out the movements together
• Movement breaks: Use the book to transition between quiet activities with energizing movement
• Small groups: Work with 3-4 children at a time for more individualized attention
• Learning centers: Place books in the reading corner for independent exploration
• Outdoor play: Bring the book outside and practice running on the playground

Teachers and childcare providers: Consider ordering multiple copies so each child can have their own, or use the book to lead group activities.

Extend the learning with these movement activities:

• Color and draw: Each book contains 5 activity pages from coloring to matching and more based upon the subject of the book.
• Count & Move: Count to 10 while acting out the verbs in the book
• Obstacle course: Set up pillows, tape lines, or toys to run around, counting each obstacle
• Number hunt: Hide numbers 1-10 around the house, run to find each one
• Slow to fast: Practice running in slow motion, then fast, counting the whole time

Sign up for our email list for free downloadable activity guides that are coming soon!

Count & Do was created by Jodi Schwartz, a design thinker parent who saw the need for books that combined the latest research in child development with joyful, active learning. After studying research papers on how young children learn best and creating this with her one-year-old child at the time, she created Count & Do to make evidence-based learning accessible and fun for all families.

Learn more on our About Us page.

Count & Do is unique because we:

• Focus on action verbs: While most books teach nouns (names of things), we teach the verbs children need to form sentences
• Integrate movement: Every page encourages physical activity, not passive reading
• Use repetition intentionally: Our books are designed to be read 10, 20, 50+ times—because that's how toddlers learn best
• Include music: Rhythmic, singable text makes words stick in memory
• Build a series: Each book focuses on achieving a milestone or skill, some may builds on previous learning
• Research-backed: Every design choice is based on peer-reviewed studies in child development

Sign up for our email list at www.countanddoseries.com to receive:

• New book announcements
• Pre-order discounts
• Free activity guides
• Research-backed parenting tips
• Exclusive subscriber-only offers

We respect your inbox and only send valuable content—no spam!

YES—this is exactly what Count & Do is designed for! Many toddlers, especially active learners and children with high energy, struggle to sit still for traditional story time.

Count & Do books embrace movement instead of fighting it:

• Your child can run, jump, and move while you read
• The book invites action on every page
• Learning happens through doing, not sitting
• Short, repetitive text holds attention better than long stories

Think of it as "active reading" instead of "quiet reading." Your toddler's wiggles are actually helping them learn!

Many parents of children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences find Count & Do books helpful because:

• Predictable structure: Repetitive text provides the consistency many children with autism crave
• Movement integration: Physical activity helps regulate sensory systems
• Clear, simple language: One concept per book prevents overwhelm
• Visual supports: Illustrations reinforce the text
• Flexibility: Children can engage at their own pace and comfort level

Always consider your individual child's needs and preferences. Some children may need modifications like reading one page at a time or doing movements in a quiet, low-stimulation space.

Absolutely! Count & Do offers a joyful, engaging alternative to screens:

• High engagement: Movement keeps children interested without digital stimulation
• Parent-child bonding: Reading together creates connection screens can't provide
• Active vs. passive: Children are participants, not viewers
• Developmental benefits: Real movement develops gross motor skills screens don't
• Reusable fun: Unlike videos that get "used up," books can be read again and again

Many families use Count & Do as their "instead of another episode" activity where the child starts moving and through the activity finds something around them to play with that elongates play.

While Count & Do is designed for ages 0-4, some 5-year-olds may still enjoy the books if they:

• Are working on speech development or language delays
• Love movement and physical books
• Enjoy reading to younger siblings
• Like simple, predictable books for calming bedtime routines

If your 5-year-old is reading independently and has mastered basic concepts, they may prefer more advanced books. However, there's no harm in trying—many older children enjoy teaching younger siblings using Count & Do!