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Combine math and fine motor skills for an engaging hands-on experience with these printable Counting Shells Math Mats. It’s a perfect addition to an ocean theme for your preschool students.
Explore Counting and Number Quantities
The Counting Shells Math Mats 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
The Counting Shells Math Mats use 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 shells she needs to make and place on the card. Making and moving the shells will engage multiple areas of her brain while she makes new connections.
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 use a variety of manipulatives with this Counting Shells Math Mat.
Use playdough and let your student make her own shells, or use real seashells.
How to Get Started with the Counting Shells Math Mats
The printable Shells Math Mats are easy to use.
- Print the counting shells cards.
- Laminate the mat, or put it in a Dry Erase Sleeve or page protector.
- Gather playdough or other manipulatives you want to use.
- Show your student how to use the math mat.
Download the Free Counting Shell Math Mats
Simply click on the image below to grab your printable Shell Math Mats.
More Playdough Printables
Are you looking for more hands-on playdough fun for your preschool or kindergarten student? Try these.