Have the child arrange the number rods on the mat in order of length. The red ends should be on the left and the rods should be lined up evenly when the student has completed the task. This is a good opportunity for the child to handle the rods. He may also notice that the red and blue lengths are the same. However, if he does not comment on this, you do not need to point it out at this time.
Use the one, two and three rods to initiate counting. You can do this by keeping these three rods to the side at first, then line them up as you count. For example, start by placing the one rod on the mat in front of the child while saying "One. This is one." Then do the same thing with the two rod by removing the one rod and placing the two rod in its place while saying "Two. This is two. One, two," and counting the segments on the rod. Finish with the three rod in the same manner.
Test the child's recall of the three numbers. Place the one, two and three rods in front of the child and ask her to identify various rods by number. For example, you might request the one rod, then the three rod, then the two rod, and then the three rod again. Each time, the child should either point to the correct rod or hand it to you. If this seems to be confusing, then she may need to see the counting exercise again.
Introduce the names of the rods. Place any one of the one, two or three rods in front of the child and ask him to name the rod. If he names it correctly, have him count it out by touching the alternating segments while saying the numbers. You can do this as many times as you wish.
Summarize the lesson. Place all three rods on the mat with the one rod closest to the student on the mat followed by the two and three rods. Count them in order while touching each one as you do so.
Continue to add to the lesson on subsequent days. Add more and more of the number rods to the lesson each day. You can add one, two or three more numbers depending on how comfortable the child appears to be with the numbers she has already learned. Eventually the child should be able to do the entire counting lesson with all ten rods and identify them correctly.
Keep the number rods on an accessible shelf where the child can reach them easily. He can do this lesson on his own by lining up and counting the number rods whenever he likes.