Kindergarten math manipulatives help educators present math concepts in ways that make sense to young children and that are mindful of their natural inquisitiveness.
Math manipulative is just a fancy way of saying math equipment. Kindergarten math manipulatives provide a hands-on way for children to discover, explore and learn math concepts. Math manipulatives encourage tactile learning experiences that you can’t get from filling in worksheets.
Ten of my favorite classroom math manipulatives for teaching kindergarten and primary children are listed on a previous post here… Ten Terrific Math Manipulatives. BUT I have so many more favorite kindergarten math manipulatives, some of which I’ve listed below.
Connecting Ten Frames
I love this set of ten frames. Ten frames help children to instantly see how numbers combine to make ten or more. These ones are durable and connect together when children begin to work with larger numbers. Go to the link to watch a short video of children using the ten frames.
Counting frames
Bead Wood Rekenrek frames are solid, beautifully made wood-and-metal counting frames. The beads feel nice, and slide easily, great for little fingers.
They also come in a variety of sizes and also in a 100 frame. Rekenrek frames help children develop number concepts and learn basic facts up to ten. They are perfect for teaching addition, subtraction, and number relationships.
Attribute Blocks
I had to add attribute blocks to my list as they’re a good introduction to logical thinking for young learners.
Words like large, thick, thin and the names of the shapes may have little meaning at first for young children but the more they play games with the attribute blocks, the quicker they learn color, shape, thickness and size vocabulary.
Snap cubes
Snap cubes are similar to Unifix™ cubes but can be snapped together in different ways, creating patterns, designs and mini ten frames.
Hundreds Chart Boards
Hundreds chart boards are laminated boards that can be used with wipe off markers. Children can explore and discover similar digits, number patterns, and more, depending on where they are in their math development.
Balance Buckets
Balance buckets help children explore volume, compare solids and liquids and build observation and estimation skills.
Learning clocks
Learning clocks have easy-to-read hour and minute markings and color-coded hands that help children identify time. You can also buy similar clocks in a variety of sets and sizes.
Kindergarten math manipulatives for creating easy games…
The items below make it easy to turn kindergarten math materials into games.
Dice also come in a variety of sizes and made with foam if you want a quieter game!
Foam dice
Number spinners and more and fewer spinners.
I could not find commercial “more or fewer” number spinners so made my own.
If you missed the first page of ten terrific math manipulatives, check it out here.
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