Counting Songs 1

Article contents

1. Overview
2. Who's it for?
3. Using the program
4. Switch access
5. Using the activities
6. Viewing and printing lyrics
7. System requirements
8. Downloads and documentation
9. Useful support articles
10. Troubleshooting

1. Overview

It includes:

• 10 traditional counting songs with animations
• Songs that count up from 1 to 5 and down from 5 to 1
• Three interactive counting activities linked to the songs
• Built-in support for switch access and scanning
• The software is aimed at children who are just beginning to understand early number concepts.

2. Who's it for?

Counting Songs 1 is suitable for:

• Early years and primary classrooms
• Learners working at early numeracy levels
• Children who benefit from repetition, visuals and music
• Learners using switches or alternative access methods
• Teachers, teaching assistants and therapists supporting early maths skills

3. Using the program

Opening Counting Songs 1

• Double-click the Counting Songs 1 icon on the desktop
• Or open it from the Start menu → Programs

The title screen gives you three choices:

• Songs
• Activities
• Lyrics

Exiting the program

• Press Esc during a song or activity to stop
• Click Home to return to the title screen
• Click Exit to close the program completely

Playing a song

1. From the title screen, click Songs.

2. Click a song to select it.

3. When prompted at the bottom of the screen:

   • Click anywhere on the screen, or

   • Press the Space bar

The song plays one verse at a time and then pauses.

• Click or press Space to continue to the next verse

• This pause allows time to:

  • Talk about the number shown

  • Count objects together

  • Check everyone is engaged

• Pause – stop the song temporarily

• Play – continue

• Rewind – replay the current or previous verse

• Esc key – return to the Choose Song menu

Song options (counting styles)

Each song includes three options:

• Option 1 – Standard

  • Plays one verse, then waits for input

• Option 2 – Automatic counting

  • Counts objects up or down before each verse

  • Encourages anticipation and discussion

• Option 3 – Interactive counting

  • You click or press Space for each count

  • Adds a tactile / kinaesthetic element

To change options:

1. Click the Options button (top right).

2. Choose the option you want.

3. Click OK to return.

4. Switch access - choosing a song

Counting Songs 1 supports single-switch scanning.

You can use:

• A switch connected via a switch interface, or

• The Space bar on the keyboard

How it works:

1. Press the switch or Space bar to start scanning.

2. Song buttons highlight one at a time.

3. When the song you want is highlighted:

   • Press the switch or Space bar again.

4. The selected song starts.

5. Using the activities

Counting Songs 1 includes three activities based on the songs.

To start:

1. From the title screen, click Activities.

2. Choose an activity.

3. Select one or more songs to use:

   • Click a song to add a tick

   • Click again to remove it

4. Click the green arrow to begin.

Press Esc at any time to exit an activity.

• Characters appear one at a time

• Learner clicks, presses Space, or uses a switch to count up

• A musical reward plays at the end

• The activity then restarts automatically

Options:

• Count up to 3 or 5

• Set via Options → Activity 1 tab

Classroom tips:

• Encourage learners to count aloud

• Use the music as a clear signal to stop counting

• Add movement, clapping or cheering at the end

• Characters appear along a number line

• Learners select them in order, starting from 1

• Mouse users click each character

• Switch or Space bar users press once per step

Options:

• Count up to 3 or 5

• Set via Options → Activity 2 tab

• A multiple-choice activity

• Difficulty increases gradually

• Learners find:

  • Sets of 1

  • Then sets of 2, 3, 4 and 5

Options:

• Start at sets of 1, 2 or 3

• Useful for more able learners

• Press switch or Space bar to start scanning

• A box moves between choices

• Press again to select

• Switch 1 / Space bar: move scan box

• Switch 2 / Enter key: select item

You can adjust:

• Scan speed

• Scan box colour

• One- or two-switch mode

All settings are found in the Options → Switch Scanning tab.

6. Viewing and printing lyrics

Viewing and printing lyrics

• From the title screen, click Lyrics
• Choose a song to view its words
• Use your computer’s print options to print lyrics

7. System requirements

• Compatible with: Windows: 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
• Activation key delivered by email.
• MSI installer is available for site licence customers.
• An active internet connection required for installation/activation.

8. Downloads and documentation

• Counting Songs 1 EXE (197.1 MB)
• Counting Songs 1 Manual (1.1 MB)
• Counting Songs 1 - Assessment Sheets (26.8 MB)

9. Useful support articles

• Using switches with Inclusive Technology software
• Deploying Inclusive Technology software using Group Policy
• Potential issues with multi-touch touchscreens on Windows 8 and 10

10. Troubleshooting

If any part of this article was unclear, or you think there is something missing (extra steps, examples or images etc.), let us know and we'll update the article:
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