What makes counting fun? Hot cocoa and marshmallows, of course! Why not warm up a chilly winter morn with a bit of sweet counting practice! The Free Printable Hot Chocolate Counting Mats for Preschool 1-10 will delight your young learners. And, really, does hot chocolate actually go out of season? Not at my house!
Tools you’ll need
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Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here. Click the pictures above to get what you need.
Preschool Math Skills
BUILDING NUMBER SENSE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
NUMBER SENSE IS THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND RELATE NUMBERS. IT INCLUDES A WIDE VARIETY OF MATH SKILLS.
Preschool math lesson plans should include lots of opportunities for children to work with numbers 1-10. Students will gain confidence and automaticity by practicing with oral counting activities, number recognition games, and number formations.
I love to sprinkle math activities into sensory play as much as possible. You could also use the hot cocoa activity for preschool as number playdough mats!
Each hot cocoa counting mat printable gives your students FIVE opportunities to explore each number:
These number mats for preschool learners provide so many opportunities to master each number!
What Can Preschoolers Learn From Counting Mats 1 to 10?
COUNTING with preschoolers
ORAL COUNTING PRACTICE IS GREAT! HOWEVER, KIDS ALSO NEED TO BUILD NUMBERS WITH OBJECTS TO FORM CONCRETE REPRESENTATIONS OF EACH NUMBER.
This hot chocolate activity for preschool gives kids so many opportunities to explore numbers!
Why Is It Important For Kids To Build Numbers?
Besides the fact that kids love hot chocolate preschool activities, there are many other reasons to introduce numbers in early childhood.
Improve Dexterity
Placing objects onto a counting mat builds fine motor skills that are really important for future pencil grip.
Practice Writing Numbers
Learning how to correctly form written numbers takes a lot of practice. Free playdough number mats are a great way to squeak that in!
Develop Number Sense
Counting each number on a ten frame helps organize each number. They can notice how each number compares to ten, or begin to recognize when the top row is filled it represents five.
Build Counting Fluency
Counting fluency is when children can effortlessly and automatically name numbers in varying sequences: forward, backward, skip counting, etc. Strong counting fluency ensures kids can handle more complex operations like addition, subtraction, comparing numbers, and story problems.
More Hot Chocolate Treats:
KEEP PRESCHOOL STUDENTS ENGAGED WITH A SWEET REWARD AFTER ALL THAT HARD WORK
Keep these hot cocoa supplies on hand for that moment when inspiration hits!
Kids Christmas Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Set
Swiss Miss Fun Bundle, Unicorn Marshmallows and Lucky Charms, 6 Hot Chocolate Envelopes and Marshmallows in Each Box, 12 Total, Hot Cocoa Mix Made with Real CocoaMarshmallow Mugs Set of 4 Cute Mugs Marshmallow Cups for Kids Hot Chocolate Cocoa Mugs Gift for Christmas Mother’s Day Valentine’s Day 5OzUTOPP Hot Cocoa Bar Kit – Hot Cocoa Bar Banner Hot Chocolate Toppings Sign Labels Cup Tags,Table Cards Decorations for Christmas Party New Year’s Eve Wintertime Holiday Kids Birthday Supplies
Materials needed for the Hot Cocoa Number Counting Mats:
Get the Supplies Here:
Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here.
- Paper
- Printer
- Marshmallows or Pom Poms
- Dry erase markers (optional)
Jet Puffed Mini Marshmallows, 10 oz each – 3 pack – by tundrasShappy Christmas 500 Pieces 1 Inch Craft Pom Pom Balls for DIY Creative Crafts Decorations Kids Craft Project Home Party Holiday Decorations (Brown)
How To Use The Hot Chocolate Counting Mats
COUNTING WITH PRESCHOOLERS
THIS PRINTABLE FOR WINTER IS EASY TO PREP AND VERSATILE TO USE WITH YOUR STUDENTS.
Just print the number playdough mats (free) onto white card stock and laminate them.
Give each child 10 (or maybe a few extra) mini marshmallows or white pom poms.
Keep some dry erase markers handy in case you want your child to trace the number words or numerals.
Children will identify the number on the mat, count the appropriate number of marshmallows onto the cup, then count them again on the ten frame, and finally students can practice tracing and writing each number.
Other Ways To Use The Number Mats:
Sequencing Cards
Given all ten mats, challenge students to put the numbers in order 1-10, or even backward from 10-1.
Homework
Print the pages on regular paper and staple them together to send home for extra practice.
Get Scientific
Run with a hot chocolate theme by creating hot chocolate slime for your students to play with, or maybe build numerals.
Our Favorite Winter Books:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun hot cocoa counting activity, take it a step further and create a full winter-themed unit with these engaging resources:
Sneezy the SnowmanDo Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate?: How Animals Keep WarmThe Snowy Day (Picture Puffin Books Book 1)The Biggest Snowman EverAnimals in Winter (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science)Winter Wonderland (National Geographic Kids)Winter Sleep: A Hibernation StoryTen Sparkly SnowflakesThere Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!How to Catch a SnowmanPete the Cat: Snow Daze (My First I Can Read)
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