Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3, Counting Mats for Preschool -

Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, will there be enough room? Hopefully there is plenty of room in your lesson plans for this adorable coconut themed counting activity! Children LOVE the adorable Chicka, Chicka books. (Yes, that’s right! If you didn’t know there are TWO Chicka Chicka books- one for letters and one for numbers!) Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 is a super cute book written by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, and illustrated by Lois Ehlert. Colorful illustrations and a fun rhyming pattern make for the perfect book to pair with these Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 Counting Mats for Preschool.

These number counting mats will pair great with not only the Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 book, but also rain forest theme, ocean theme, or beach themed math activities!

What Skills Can I Practice With These Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom Counting Mats:

This math activity is great for practicing so many skills. Since they come in both Spanish and English they are wonderful for English Language Learners or introducing a second language to your students.

Here are just a few of the many skills you can practice with these counting mats:

counting and writing numbers
one to one correspondence counting objects
number recognition
numbers in written form
counting to 10 in Spanish

As parents and educators we sometimes question the best time for helping our children learn new concepts. We even may wonder when should a child be able to count to 10?

Preschoolers are the perfect age to learn and practice counting skills! They are like sponges absorbing the world around them and they love to show off new skills they learn like counting to 10 and reciting their alphabet.

Overhead view of the Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3, Counting Mat for the number 2.

How To Practice Counting Up To 10:

There are endless opportunities to practice counting to 10. Some of my favorite moments practicing counting come in the middle of the day when we are eating a snack, taking a walk outside, or just sitting around having play time.

Making groups of ten and practicing counting objects to 10 is a great activity for building number sense.

Counting backwards from 10, up to 10 from a number other than 0 or 1, and skip counting to 10 are also good ways to help strengthen number sense and practice counting.

The Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3, Counting Mat for the number 3 in Spanish.

How To Use This Counting 1 to 10 Coconut Tree Activity:

Print the counting mats onto white card stock and laminate them.

This hands on counting activity is simple to use! Practice counting, tracing, and building the number however you would like.

You can use play dough to create the numeral, or have your child trace it with a dry erase marker.

Now, usually with counting mats you would count out the number of objects on the mat using mini erasers, a small snack, play dough balls, or another small manipulative. You can still do this, but using number magnets puts a fun twist on these counting mats!

Count up to the number on the mat using the number magnets. For example, if the number is 4, place the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the tree.

Overhead view of the coconut tree counting mat for the number 4.

Other Ways To Use These Number Mats:

Use visual aids

Add in ten frames, a number line, or unifix cubes to help kids counting to 10.

Fun on the Beach

Pair the number mats with some other fun beach themed activities for preschoolers.

Number Matching

Hide foam numbers or number magnets into an ocean sensory bin. As your child finds the numbers, have them work on the matching number mat.

Other manipulatives

Instead of putting numbers on the tree, count out manipulatives and practice counting the number of objects on the tree. You can use fun mini erasers or another manipulative of choice.