Counting Snowballs Playdough Math Mat

The penguin is gearing up for a snowball fight, and she needs some snowballs! Have your student help her out by drawing a card and adding the number of snowballs to the Penguin Math Mat.

Explore Counting and Number Quantities

The Penguin Math Mat can be used to teach one-to-one correspondence as well as counting.

This activity will help your student beyond the rote reciting of numbers and help your student to actually count the items as they place them on the mat.

Understanding that each number has a quantity is a skill that gives your student a good math foundation.

Benefits of Hands-on Learning with the Penguin Math Mat

The Penguin Math Mat uses hands-on learning to help your student understand the meaning of counting. When your student looks at the card, she will have to determine how many snowballs she needs to make and place on the card.

Making and placing the snowballs will engage multiple areas of her brain while she makes new connections.

This printable includes a math mat and ten cards for numbers 1-10. If your student is new to counting, you can practice counting the snowballs on the card before making and placing the same number of snowballs on the math mat.

Hands-on learning also provides these benefits:

• It allows students to use their senses to explore new concepts.
• It improves fine motor skills.
• It allows young learners to make mistakes and problem solve.

Your student can make snowballs out of playdough for an extra fine motor boost, or you can use a variety of other manipulatives. Suggested manipulatives:

• white or light blue playdough
• cotton balls
• white pompoms
• white buttons
• mini-marshmallows

How to Get Started with the Counting Snowballs Math Mat

The printable math mat is easy to use.

1. Print the number cards and math mat.
2. Laminate the mat, or put it in a Dry Erase Sleeve or page protector.
3. Gather playdough or other manipulatives you want to use.
4. Turn the cards upside-down. Let your student choose one.
5. Show your student how to make and place the corresponding number of snowballs.

If your student is beyond counting 1-10, use the cards to introduce addition. Draw TWO cards, add the snowballs, and place the sum on the math mat.

Download the Free Penguin Math Mat

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