"10 Counting Songs and Activities"

10 different animals to play the games with.

Games and Activities

There are many ways to use the manipulatives

Using the manipulatives alone

You really don't have to do anything fancy with the manipulatives. 
Their primary purpose is to help children learn the counting songs by giving them something to count. 

Pictured at left are simply five frogs. (sitting in a cake pan to keep things tidy.)

You can count them and take away a frog with every verse. 

With songs like "Once I caught a fish alive" and "Ten Little Turtles", you will not be taking anything away in between verses, you will simply be counting the printouts while you sing.

Math Pond Play

We made blue pages with numbers on the center for "math ponds" where the kids put the animals in the pond.

Our kids love to lay them all out and then clear them with a fishing pole. (use magnet on fishing pole and paperclips on the animals)

Seeing the numeral next to the actual number of ducks, fish, etc, has been very helpful as they grasp the concept that the numerals represent "how many". 

Rhythm Play

Introducing rhythm with fun pictures really helps set the stage for learning the notation.

It's easier for beginners to say the names of items than it is to count with numbers. 

For example, the first line in this photo you would count "One and, Two and, Three, Four" OR you could say the animals: "Turtle, Turtle, Fish, Fish".

You can create your own rhythms with just about anything...

Going on a picnic? Make a whole rhythmic list! "Sandwich, drink, watermelon, plate."

Into Princesses? "Snow White, Cinderella, Elsa, Anna, Belle!"

Star Wars fans? "Han Solo, Chewy, Luke".

These printables are simply one tool you can use to practice and introduce this concept. Go out there and have fun!