Ten Frame Play Dough Mats- A Fine Motor/Visual Tool

What is a Ten Frame?

“But wait!” you say, “What in the world is a ten frame?” My friends (may I call you my friends? Okay, cool.) a ten frame is a great visual tool for kids to start learning about number sense and how numbers relate to one another. Ten frames make counting number values easier and help little ones visually see numbers in relation to ten. They learn to see what odd numbers look like versus even numbers. Ten frames are used for composing and decomposing numbers in relation to 5 and 10.

How to use it:

My son, Jackson, loves to use play dough on his ten frame mats. When your child is placing the play dough for each number, start with the top left box and work horizontally to the right. After your child counts to five (and has filled up the top row) the number six would be starting at the left in the second row. Then work towards the right ending in the number ten. 

Use ten frames to introduce numbers and number relations while involving hands on fun and manipulation. Jackson likes to use play dough but every now and then he uses a dry erase marker instead. He loves the play dough because he gets to manipulate it into the shape of the number and make little circles to fill in the ten frame. This makes for an awesome fine motor activity. Jackson loves when he gets to add the monster’s eyes to its face. Sometimes he likes to add eyebrows too!

Hope you guys got a few great ideas on how to use these awesome ten frame mats. For more fun with play dough mats check them out here!

Want to make your own super easy play dough recipe? Check out the recipe to make the softest play dough EVER!

Happy learning!