Math Manipulatives for Preschool
Math manipulatives are an important tool for teaching math to preschoolers. They provide a hands-on way to explore math concepts. There are so many awesome math manipulatives out there. I like to use them when I’m teaching math lessons and or use them in centers. Math manipulatives can be something simple, like cotton balls, or you can get higher-quality ones from stores like Lakeshore Learning or Learning Resources.
Today I’m sharing my top math manipulatives for preschoolers. These are the ones I’ve used and think are the most effective.
Counting Bears
So much learning can happen with these little bears! You can use them to sort, count, make patterns, and even for dramatic play! They are also great for teaching beginning addition or subtraction.
There are so many counting bears to choose from. We like the classic counting bear set. They also have a family bear set, which includes three different sizes of bears.
Math Link Cubes
We are also big fans of math link cubes! (Also known as Unifix™ cubes.) These are awesome for counting, sorting by color, making patterns, and simple addition or subtraction. I also love that these work on fine motor skills when you snap them together.
Ten Frame Manipulatives
Learning about ten frames (and even five frames!) is important for preschoolers. Having math manipulatives for this is so helpful!
I love this magnetic ten frame because you can use it while teaching a class without the counters falling off.
Pattern Blocks
These colorful shapes are great for making patterns, learning about shapes, sorting by color or other attributes, and making designs with shapes. There are really quite a few ways to use these pattern blocks!
Mini Erasers
Do you ever see those mini erasers in the Target dollar section? These are fabulous for math! You can use them for counting, practicing one-to-one correspondence, sorting, making patterns, ten frames, and more!
You can also find mini erasers on Amazon, but I usually just pick them up from Target.
Foam Dice
You can use dice for so many math activities! I love foam dice because they are soft, which means they are quiet! (All the teachers say hallelujah!!)
Using dice for games helps kids with subitizing (knowing what the dots are without counting every dot each time), counting, adding, subtracting, comparing, and more!
What other math manipulatives do you love?
For just a few days, enter to win one of these math manipulatives!
Unifix cubes are awesome for teaching addition! Two colors help to provide a visual for little mathematicians, showing how to make those number bonds
I’m a homeschool mom to a Kindergartener. I didn’t realize how badly I would end up needing Pattern Blocks and didn’t buy any. I would love to win some, it would help my homeschooler and I so much!
I have the bear counters in my classroom and they are always a hit! I would love to get the pattern blocks, there are so many ways to use them!
I had seen pattern blocks before in a childrens museum but never thought to look for them for sale. My 5yo would have sat for hours playing with them but the 2yo would never let him. Ha
Thanks for the giveaway! They are all great tools for helping with math teaching. My daughter loves colors and shapes and building, so her favorite would be the math link cubes. Happy holidays to you and your family!
These are all great choices! All of them are useful in elementary as well, especially the early years. Foam dice are useful for any age because there are so many learning games using dice. Objects for counting and ten-frames are helpful for K-1 and for older children with learning disabilities. Great post!
My Preschoolers love doing the Math Link Cubes and Patterning Blocks, thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
I love those ten franes. I haven’t seen magnetic ones before!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Teresa Lass
My 3 year old would LOVE the pattern blocks! I see so many cute task cards on Pinterest that use them, and would love to be able to play with my daughter with them.