Are you teaching your preschoolers how to count from 1-10? One of the foundational math skills for preschool and pre-k kids is counting to ten. Providing lots of hands-on, engaging activities to build a great foundation for counting is the perfect step for their future math success. These free printable counting Number Mats for LEGO DUPLO blocks are the perfect for practicing counting in your preschool math centers and preschool math activities.
Teach Preschoolers to Count with DUPLO Blocks
Using something preschoolers already love in learning activities, provides a great way to get kids engaged in learning.
Children will be interested in a learning activity that includes something they are already interested in, versus a plain, boring worksheet!
Yes, we use worksheets sometimes, but typically it is when we have already learned the skill and we need extra practice.
We have used DUPLO and LEGO to help teach STEM, strengthen fine motor skills, sorting, and other math skills.
If your kids love building with LEGO, this set of free printable preschool DUPLO activity and counting mats will be incredibly helpful in teaching your preschoolers to count from 1-10!
Using Number Mats for DUPLO Blocks
Learning how to count from 1-10 is typically one of the first things that children learn when it comes to math. It is a crucial step!
Not only are these number mats perfect for building number recognition and one to one correspondence, this preschool LEGO math activity for preschool is also perfect for strengthening fine motor skills.
These skills are critical for eating, zipping a zipper, tying shoes, handwriting and so much more!
Why not make building fine motor skills extra fun by using DUPLO blocks in preschool?!?
How To Prep The Counting Mats
Obviously, the first thing to do is print the mats. For young children, you can start with 1-3 or 1-5 and then work your way toward 1-10.
We don’t want to give a 3-year-old numbers that she isn’t ready for!
FYI: I am 200% addicted to laminating activities for kids.
It is definitely a far second to my coffee addiction, thanks to my youngest daughter being an insomniac… but, nonetheless, there is rarely a preschool activity that comes out of my printer that doesn’t get immediately sent through my laminator.
Obviously, this is optional, but I want to make sure activities for as long as possible and kids are rough on paper!
I have also used dry erase pockets and those work great in a pinch.
What DUPLO Block Should I Use for the number mats?
The LEGO Duplo My First Bricks set is perfect for this activity.
Actually, we have a huge collection of DUPLO sets, so it really doesn’t matter what set you choose.
Pro DUPLO tip: We got a LOT of our DUPLO bricks at yard sales, thrift stores and Marketplace.
“They look amazing and I know my littles will enjoy them so much!
Thank you! “
How To Play with the DUPLO Number Mats
I included DUPLO mats for numbers 1 through 10.
Each DUPLO counting mat shows the number and the correct number of individual blocks.
The DUPLO counting activity will help preschool and pre-k kids with number recognition and one to one correspondence.
Additional Ideas for the Free LEGO DUPLO Number Mats:
- To provide more of a challenge and build fine motor skills, place DUPLO blocks in one big tray or bowl and ask child to pick out the color they need using only one hand.
Doing so, not only helps strengthen hand and finger muscles by focusing on one muscle grouping at a time, but provides a fun, new way to interact with the counting activity.
- Have your preschooler sort the blocks used on each number mat by color, count how many of each color were used and then add the DUPLO blocks together to find out how many blocks were used in total.
- To increase the building challenge, ask your preschoolers to create the picture with DUPLO blocks on the side of the fine motor mat, instead of on top of it.
- Create a counting game in addition to the number mats. Use the LEGO bricks to build towers with the correct number of LEGO.
These are all great ideas to get boys and girls excited about counting in preschool.
Combining Math and Literacy for Preschoolers
Here are some of our favorite books for practicing counting and number recognition!
Pair them with the LEGO DUPLO block Counting Mats for a great math and literacy activity for preschoolers.
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