Easy as 1, 2, 3...

You would think from this expression that counting could possibly be one of the easiest concepts to grasp. One, two, three... Everyday we count from 0-10 countless times, and no pun intended there. Literally could not tell you the number of times we do it. We count forwards, backwards, on our fingers, on our number lines, on the board, on the big numbers I have over the board, we count shapes, blocks, children, we whisper, we shout, we increase from our zero voices to our ten voices (them shouting and dancing), etc.

And yet...

Me: Okay, let's count the pictures on the board. Ibrahim*, please come here and count the balloons.
Ibrahim: One, two, three.....six... four...six...nine....five.....
Me: What?! (I know I shouldn't but sometimes I can't help it.) Ibrahim. Count again. One, two, three...What comes after three, Ibrahim?
Ibrahim: [Vacant Silence]
Me: Come on, Ibrahim. You know this. What comes after three? Look at your number line.
Ibrahim: [Pondering Silence] Four.
Me: Very good, Ibrahim!!!!! Very good. Four. Four comes after three. Sometimes or all the time?
Ibrahim: [Pondering Silence] Oll...oll the time.
Me: VERY good! Now, we have one, two, three, four- what comes after four, Ibrahim?
Ibrahim: [Extended Pondering Silence] Three.
Me: [Silently ripping out hair] Three? Try again, Ibrahim. Look, number three comes BEFORE number four. Look, see? One, two, three, four- what's next?
Ibrahim: [Extended Pondering Silence Take 2] Fffff...five. Five.
Me: VERY GOOD, IBRAHIM! Excellent. Five comes after four. Sometimes or all the time?
Ibrahim: Oll....oll the time, teacher.
Me: Excellent, Ibrahim! Very good. Ok, high five!

Every. Day.