↑

Preschool Inspirations

Preschool Activities and Learning

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Disclosure Policy, Copyright Items, and Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • My Book
  • Shop
  • Music
  • Science
  • Literacy
  • Math
  • Fine Motor

Christmas Ten Frame Counting Mats

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links from Amazon or other programs are used on this website. See my disclosure policy here.

December 10, 2021 by Katie T. Christiansen Leave a Comment

Christmas ten frame counting mats are a perfect Christmas math activity for preschool. It’s a great hands-on way for helping children learn to count and work on their number sense. These counting mats are perfect to use with mini erasers or any other favorite manipulatives because hands-on math is the best kind of math!

a christmas counting mat pre printed with the number seven and the text christmas ten frames free printable

Christmas Ten Frame Counting Mats

Our Christmas ten frame counting mats are a favorite preschool counting activity. We even have a set that is a great counting activity for kindergarten.

We have made this a free Christmas math printable to all of our amazing subscribers. And when you subscribe, you’ll absolutely love all the other preschool and kindergarten goodies that pop up in your inbox!

How to Use the Christmas Counting Mats

  1. Print out our free Christmas ten frame counting mats.
  2. Optionally, laminate them or put them in a pocket protector.
  3. Start with numbers 1-5 with the items in them. Once children master these, then move up to 10!
  4. Move to the blank ten frames for children to fill in. Again, start with numbers 1-5 first, then move up to 10.
two sets of christmas counting mats, one with pre-filled items and one without

How to Teach Counting with Ten Frames 

Learning to count may seem like an easy skill, but that’s not necessarily true! There are actually 9 developmental stages of math learning that children go through before they get to advanced counting that they will need for kindergarten and beyond. 

What I love about these ten frame mats is that children are learning one to one correspondence as they touch each item on the ten frame mat.

When children add an item to the ten frame, have them start with the upper left box and move in each object next to it so that it’s going from left to right. Then, move to the second row and do the same.

After some practice, your little learners will be able to tell if the ten frame has 5 objects, 7 objects, or 10 objects — all without counting or seeing the numeral. That’s subitizing, which means counting by sight. We do this with our fingers too.

Subitizing, one-to-one correspondence, and cardinality can all be easily taught with ten frames. It’s also great to incorporate with dominoes and dice. Young children need lots of repetition and practice and these ten frame counting mats do just the trick!

That’s actually one of my favorite parts about teaching preschoolers. We are teaching them life lessons in these early years. Your students will reap the benefits for years to come by learning these math skills in preschool. And their kindergarten teachers will thank you!

Christmas Ten Frame Counting Mats for Preschool

Your freebie will have two sets of Christmas counting mats. The first set is for children who are just learning to count. The Christmas ornaments will already be in the ten frame with the corresponding number.

a printable christmas ten frame mat preprinted with the number three

First, show the child how to count to that number by slowly touching each ornament. Then, have the child do it after you so that you can assess any areas that they might need help with, whether it’s counting or following their finger. Or just going too quickly.

There is also a number line counting mats where the correct number will be marked. This is a great way to reinforce that this number has significance. It’s not just a number we’re talking about. It has a special spot on the number line, and there is a value assigned to it.

Christmas Ten Frames for Pre-K or Kindergarten

The pre-k or kindergarten version of these Christmas counting mats is slightly harder. If a child breezes through the first set, then they’re ready for this next set. This is really more about skills and less about age though.

a preschool ten frame mat for a Christmas theme that's not filled in for the number six

The pre-k ten frames are left open for your student or child to fill in with any manipulative that you have around. These are perfect for mini erasers, gems, pom poms, and the like. I personally love something that I can grab real fast that’s already in the classroom or house.

The second set of ten frame counting mats are also more advanced on the number line. Have your little learner circle the correct number. I make these into a dry erase surface by laminating them or putting them in a dry erase pocket. This is a number sense tool that will help get your preschoolers ready for kindergarten math.

Using Manipulatives with Christmas Counting Mats

In the build-it section, use any type of math manipulative. It could be mini erasers, LEGO Duplos/bricks, links, snap cubes, counting bears, pom poms etc. Whatever you have on hand or anything your little learner loves will do just fine! Have the child build vertically or horizontally to create that number. Feel free to let them use sets or to make patterns. Whatever makes their heart happy to learn about math.

a christmas themed counting mat filled with manipulatives

A great teaching tool is to have your little learners slide those manipulatives off the ten frame(s) and into the build it/make it section. This helps to build conservation of number – understanding that there is no need to recount the manipulatives. That number stayed the same since I did not add more or less to the amount.

On the “Make it or Write it” section, this is a great way to make the number with dice or dominoes. If your little learner already loves writing numbers, feel free to have him or her write it in. If the child needs extra support in handwriting, I would probably hold off on this. We want to focus on number sense, not handwriting. It’s important not to introduce too many skills at once because that can quickly overwhelm or frustrate a child. 

And there you have it — preschool math made fun! Your kiddos will build confidence and essential math skills with these Christmas ten frame counting mats. Don’t miss grabbing your free printable by filling out the form below!

Christmas Lesson Plans

If you are planning a Christmas preschool theme, here is a great Christmas lesson plan from our friends at Preschool Teacher 101.

cover image for preschool christmas lesson plans
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Katie T. Christiansen
Creator at Preschool Inspirations
Katie has spent 17 combined years in the Early Childhood field as a teacher, preschool owner, and educational writer. She has worked in profit and non-profit programs, high-risk schools, and started an in-home preschool and outdoor collaborative preschool program. She adores being a mom to three children, and her youngest is currently in preschool.
Latest posts by Katie T. Christiansen (see all)
  • DIY Animal Puzzle - October 31, 2022
  • How to use Question of the Day for Circle Time - August 5, 2022
  • Why Potty Training is Failing - June 18, 2022
7 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Christmas, Math Tagged With: Christmas activity for preschoolers, math activity for preschoolers, numbers, preschool math

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I'm Katie, and I'm a veteran preschool teacher, child development research junkie, and mom of three who lives on little sleep and turns my kitchen into an art and science laboratory.

Come on in! I'm sharing my best play recipes, teacher tips, & learning activities with a sprinkling of real life!

My New Book!

Book cover for the Best Preschool Learning Activities

Peaceful Potty Training

cover image for potty training visual schedule

Graduation Certificates

cover image for graduation certificates

search

categories

archives

Copyright ©2023, Preschool Inspirations. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs
7 shares