Preschool Numeracy Activities: Ten-Frames, Counting and Simple Adding

Numeracy means being comfortable with numbers: counting, comparing and putting groups together. A ten-frame is a simple tool that helps preschoolers see numbers as groups, not just words.

What is a ten-frame?

A ten-frame is a grid of two rows of five boxes. Children place counters or dots in the boxes to show a number. Seeing five fill one row and ten fill the whole frame helps them notice how numbers fit together.

Ten-frame activities

1. Fill the frame: put 7 counters on the frame and count them.
2. How many more? Fill 6 boxes, then ask how many more to make 10.
3. Quick look: show a frame for two seconds and ask how many.
4. Make it with food: use raisins or crackers on a drawn frame.
5. Draw your own: sketch a frame and dot it.

First adding

Adding at this age is just putting two groups together. Show 2 dots and 3 dots, then count them all. Use real objects first, then pictures, then numbers.

Simple adding games

• Two bowls of pom-poms: how many altogether?
• Hop forward 2, then 1 more. Where did you land?
• Roll two dice and count all the dots.

Using the free pack

Page one has ten-frames to fill for different numbers. Page two has pairs of dot groups to add. Count the dots out loud, then write the answer.