How to explain counting forwards in 8s in counting in 8s to your student
27 October 2026
Counting forwards in 8s helps children spot number patterns and build confidence with times tables. Use this simple example to show your child how to add 8 each time, starting from zero.
Worked example
Count forwards in steps of 8, starting at 0, up to 40.
Start at 0.
Add 8 to 0. That makes 8.
Add 8 to 8. That makes 16.
Add 8 to 16. That makes 24.
Add 8 to 24. That makes 32.
Add 8 to 32. That makes 40.
The correct answer is 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40.
Key insight: After working through this example, your child will see how each number is found by adding 8 to the previous one. This prepares them for practising more questions on counting in 8s, just like those in the 11+ Prep: Counting in 8s section.
