If you are looking for a hands-on way to teach early numeracy skills to your students, my free ten frame cards printable could be just the resource you are looking for. 

I regularly use ten frames in my kindergarten and first grade classrooms to teach my students everything from number sense and counting to math problem-solving. There’s a reason they appear so frequently in our math curriculum. They are a fantastic tool for developing early numeracy skills.

In this blog post, you will find out exactly what they are and discover some of my tried and tested hands-on activities, games, and strategies for using ten frames effectively in your math instruction. Plus, there are some free Ten Frame Cards for you to download and print so you can make your math lessons a whole lot more fun and engaging. 

All early childhood teachers know how important it is to make learning engaging for kids. If you are looking for a highly effective teaching strategy that is not only fun but also ensures the learning sticks, you want to be using play-based learning and hands-on activities in your classroom. By incorporating manipulatives and ten frames in the playful learning exercises of your math instruction, you can boost engagement and learning.​

What is a 10 Frame? 

Are you wondering, what exactly are ten frames? Well, they are visual tools that help children develop a solid foundation in number sense, counting, and even basic addition and subtraction. They give students a tangible representation of quantities and help children visualise numbers in a structured and organised way. 

A ten frame is commonly used in early math education to help children develop number sense and basic arithmetic skills. Just take a look over the Foundation stage and Grade One ACARA mathematics curriculum to see just how often they are featured! 

A ten frame consists of a rectangular frame divided into two rows, each row has five squares. These squares are arranged in such a way that they resemble a window with ten slots or compartments.

The purpose of a ten frame is to provide a structured and organised representation of numbers. It helps children visualise quantities and understand the concept of composing and decomposing numbers up to ten. By using counters or manipulatives, children can fill in the squares on the ten frames to represent a specific number.

For instance, if you want to represent the number 4, you would place four counters in the squares on the ten frame. Or, if you want to represent the number 9, you would fill in nine squares, leaving just one square empty.

Ten frames are particularly effective in developing counting skills, subitising (the ability to instantly recognise the number of objects without counting), and understanding basic addition and subtraction. They provide a visual anchor for children to grasp number relationships, patterns, and the concept of ten as a benchmark number.

Overall, ten frames are an invaluable tool in early math education. They help to develop a solid foundation in number concepts and prepare children for the more complex mathematical concepts they will encounter as they progress in their schooling.

Why use Ten Frames to Teach Maths?

Ten frames are a popular tool for teaching young children number sense. But why?

The number ten is the base of our number system, so it is important that young children have heaps of opportunities to explore making ten in a variety of ways. It is also vital they understand how other numbers relate to ten. 

Ten frames

• build number sense.

• help children to recognise and form simple patterns.

• help children visualise numbers (subitise).

• reinforce the concept of one-to-one correspondence.

• develop counting skills.

• compose and decompose numbers to ten in multiple ways. 

• develop concepts of addition and subtraction.

• help children recognise number bonds that make ten.

• introduce children to mental math and problem-solving strategies so they can complete math operations.

• enhance spatial awareness and fine motor skills.

• provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. 

Ten frames are such a powerful tool in the early childhood classroom. They help children develop a range of math skills. Let’s look a little closer at all those key math skills that ten frames help us to teach:

Number Sense: Ten frames provide a visual representation of numbers. This helps children develop a strong understanding of quantity and number relationships. By using ten frames, children can visualise numbers and develop a sense of how numbers are constructed and deconstructed.

Creating and Recognising Patterns: Ten frames help children to recognise and create patterns because they are a visual tool that can be used to identify arrangements of objects. Children can easily see increasing or decreasing quantities on a ten frame. They also help children to create repeating patterns. The visual structure of a ten frame helps children to order number and object sequences.

Subitising: Subitising is the ability to recognise the number of objects in a set without having to count them individually. Ten frames promote subitising because students learn to recognise the arrangement of dots or counters on the frame and quickly determine the quantity.

One-to-One Correspondence: Ten frames reinforce the concept of one-to-one correspondence. That’s where each object or counter corresponds to one count. As children learn to match each object with a square on their ten frames, they develop a better understanding of the relationships between numbers and quantities.

Counting: Ten frames build counting skills in young children. Children will practice counting objects when they fill the squares on their ten frames.  The structure of ten frames also helps them to recognise counting patterns. Children can even use ten frames to help them count in twos, fives, and tens.

Compose and Decompose Numbers: Ten frames provide a visual representation that helps children see the relationship between numbers and their components, such as breaking down the number 7 into 3 and 4 or combining 2 and 8 to make 10. This visual tool helps children develop a deeper understanding of number relationships as they can manipulate numbers within the context of ten.

Addition and Subtraction: Ten frames help to build the foundation for basic addition and subtraction skills. By visually representing numbers within the frame, children can practice adding or subtracting objects to understand the concept of combining or taking away quantities.

Number Combinations: Ten frames give children opportunities to explore number combinations and help them to understand different ways to make any given number. Students can experiment with filling their ten frames in various ways to see how different numbers can be composed.

Problem Solving: Ten frames offer opportunities for problem-solving activities too. Children can develop their critical thinking skills by determining how many more counters are needed to complete a ten frame or how many counters need to be removed to reach a certain quantity.

Spatial Awareness: Using ten frames requires children to arrange objects within the squares, and this enhances their spatial awareness and fine motor skills. You can offer your students tweezers to manipulate their counters or supply small items to use as counters so your students learn to position their manipulatives accurately. This all helps develop hand-eye coordination, the pincer grip in the hand, and general hand dexterity.

By incorporating ten frames into your math instruction, you will effectively support the development of these essential math skills and provide your students with a solid foundation in their early years maths understandings. 

The Benefits of Hands-on Learning to Teach Early Number Concepts

I have seen the benefits of hands-on learning in my classroom so I use this way of teaching whenever I can. As a learning method, you just can’t beat it.

Hands-on learning allows children to actively explore and manipulate objects. Touching and feeling objects helps them to link up neurological pathways in the brain. And that ensures your students develop better understanding, retention, and memory.

Sensory experiences often associated with hands-on learning not only enhance children’s understanding of abstract concepts, but also helps children to stay focused.

Using printables improves the learning experience even more. Printable resources provide visual aids that support comprehension, encourage creativity, and offer opportunities for independent practice. Pretty powerful when you combine the two!

What Hands-on Activities Can You Do With Ten Frames?

There are endless opportunities for you to use ten frames in your math lessons and hands-on learning experiences. Here are some of my favourites:

Number Hunt: Hide number cards and matching ten frame cards around your classroom. Invite your kids to go on a number hunt and search for the hidden cards. Once they have gathered the cards, they can match the numeral cards with the corresponding ten frame cards. 

Then you might like to extend the activity even further by getting them to place the cards in order. This is a great hands-on way to co-construct a number line. 

Math Storytelling and Number Problems: Using ten frames in storytelling will really engage your students and help them to see the way we use maths in our everyday lives.

My kids love it when I use puppets or toys to act out the stories. Tell some math stories where the characters encounter different problems related to quantities and ten frames. 

Your students will love solving number story problems when they have a ten frame to help them. They can place counters on their own individual ten frames to help them solve simple number stories involving numbers to 10.

Such a fun way to represent quantities and use ten frames as a tool to solve simple addition and subtraction stories.

Here are a few number stories you can use to create your very own ten frame number sentences:

• Emily had 5 apples, but she ate 2. How many apples does she have left?

• There were 7 birds in the tree. 3 flew away. How many birds are left?

• John had 4 toy cars. His friend gave him 3 more. How many cars does John have now?

• Lisa has 8 crayons, but she lost 2. How many crayons does she have left?

• There were 6 ducks in the pond. 2 more ducks joined them. How many ducks are there now?

If you like these types of simple number stories, you can download a list of 50 of them HERE.

Subitising with Ten Frames: Make some cards with ten frames containing different combinations of dots. Flash a card to your students and get them to subitise the number of dots. (say the number without counting the dots). Then they need to make the same number with counters on their own blank ten frames. I like to save on printing whenever I can, so this is a great activity to do on your interactive panel.

Number Bonds with Ten Frames: Make some cards with ten frames containing different combinations of dots or use my free Printable Ten Frame Cards and have your students work out how many more dots they would need to make ten. 

The kids can make the same number displayed with counters of one colour on their own blank ten frames and then count the blank spaces to work out the missing number. They could write the matching number sentence in their books or on little whiteboards.

Ten Frame Bingo: Adapt the traditional Bingo game but use ten frame cards. Create Bingo cards with different ten frame configurations.

Each student receives a Bingo card with a variety of ten frame representations. The teacher calls out numbers, and the students cover the corresponding ten frame on their Bingo cards. The first player to cover a row or complete their card shouts, "Bingo!" You could swap these around and have the players use traditional numbers to ten bingo cards, and instead of calling out numbers, flash a large card with the ten frame representations. 

Creating and Recognising Patterns: Provide each child with a blank ten frame and a set of manipulatives like coloured counters and glass gems. Encourage them to create patterns by filling up the ten frame with different coloured or shaped manipulatives. They can alternate between two different manipulatives to create a repeating pattern. This activity is great for helping children to recognise and create patterns, and it helps to develop counting and number concepts as well.

Outdoor Ten Frames: Take the learning outdoors! Your students will love to do some hands-on maths out in the playground. Create giant ten frames using ropes or hula hoops on the ground. You can draw them in chalk on the concrete too.

Your kids will benefit from drawing their own ten frames on the concrete. It is quite a difficult task for young children, and you’ll quickly learn more about their cognitive development when they are given the challenge to make their own ten frames.

Provide natural materials like stones, leaves, or pinecones for your children to fill the frames. You could even supply your kids with paper bags so they can collect their own natural materials. Before you set them off collecting treasures from the playground, make sure to ask how many items from nature they will need to fill a ten frame.

They can work collaboratively or individually on these hands-on ten-frame activities. Either way, exploring numbers and ten frames like this is beneficial. All that kinesthetic learning helps the learning stick.

Looking for more ideas to teach number sense using ten frames?

Check out this blog post: 14 Best Ten Frame Games for Kindergarten Math. You’ll discover some more fun and engaging ten frame games to play in preschool or kindergarten. Use these hands-on math games to easily build number sense and math skills in your students.

What Investigation Areas to Set Up So Students Practice Using Ten Frames?

In a play-based classroom, ten frames can be integrated seamlessly into a variety of your math centers or investigation areas. It is the perfect opportunity for your students to practice using ten frames through hands-on learning experiences. 

We have explored a variety of hands-on learning activities already, but here are some ideas for incorporating ten frames into independent math centers or a play-based investigation area:

Sensory Play: Create a sensory table or fill a tray with materials such as sand, rice, or dried corn kernels. Hide small manipulatives or counters within the sensory material. Your kids will have so much fun searching for the hidden objects. When they find them, they can count them by placing them on their ten frames.

Ten Frames and Block Play: In your blocks area, display some building challenges using ten frames. Encourage your children to build towers or structures using a specific number of blocks. They can then represent that number on a ten frame with counters. 

My students love experimenting with various combinations and are always up for the challenge of building structures with different quantities.

If you would like to really challenge your students and also help them learn about durations of time and how to measure time, you might like to add my time challenge cards.

I designed these cards as stimulus prompts for children exploring concepts of time.

I have used them in small blocks construction areas, but they could be used with any construction materials like lego, box constructions in the art area, or even with play dough.

Playdough Ten Frames: All you need to do is add some blank ten frames to your playdough table and your children will naturally mold the playdough into balls or shapes and press them onto the ten frames. 

You could also add other small manipulatives like beads or buttons to increase engagement and foster creativity. This hands-on activity combines sensory play, fine motor skills, and number exploration.

Maths Games: Create some math games that involve ten frames. You could play these during math rotations before you put them out at investigation time so the children are already familiar on how to play them.

• Ten Frame Flash: This game is suitable for about 4 players. Create about 15 ten frames with dot arrangements on them and then have 4 blank ten frames, one for each player. To play, one child flashes a dot ten frame flash card to the other children for a count of three, then they hide it. The other players have to place counters in the same positions on their blank frames.  The first child then shows the original dot card again and helps each of the players check their arrangements. After three turns of flashing the dot cards, another child can have a turn. Keep playing until all the players have had a turn.

• Ten Frame Memory: Create a set of small playing cards with all the numbers up to ten represented in dots on each of the ten frames cards. Print out two or four sets of cards so your students can use them to play some fun card games like Memory, Snap, or Go Fish.

  Another card game idea is to create a set of matching cards featuring numerals or number words along with the corresponding ten frame representations.

• Make Twenty: This game is suitable for 2-4 players. Create 4 board game cards with 2 blank ten frames on each. Each player takes a turn to roll a dice and place that number of counters onto their blank ten frames. The winner is the first player to fill all twenty spaces.

  I like to use a dice that only has the numbers 1 to 3 on it. This will make the game last a little longer and also helps to reinforce number facts for adding 1, 2, and 3.

  For a variation on this game, players could start with 20 counters on their game board and take away counters instead. Children will practice counting, subitising, and adding or subtracting when they play this game.

• Subitising Showdown: This game is for 2 players. The players face off in a subitising challenge. Each player has a ten-frame and a set of counters. A number card from a deck of cards representing the numbers 1 to 20 is revealed. Both players race to arrange their counters on the ten frames to match the number shown. The player who correctly represents the quantity first wins that round.

• Ten Frame Copy That: This game is for 2 players. Create 2 blank ten-frame cards. Players sit opposite each other and use a folder to make a barrier between them. One player secretly arranges some counters on their blank ten frame. The other player cannot see their arrangement but must try to copy it by asking questions like - Is the bottom row full? Are there 6 counters? Is there an empty space in the top row? Make it a rule that they can only ask questions that can be answered with a yes or no.

• Ten Frame War: Similar to the traditional card game of War, players divide a deck of numeral cards evenly. Each player turns over their top card and places the corresponding number of counters on their ten frame. The player with the larger number wins the round and collects all the counters. The game continues until one player has collected all the counters.

• Create a Math Game: After playing some of the above games, your students will be ready to create their own. Provide a selection of materials for your students to create their own ten frame math games.

  Add cardboard, sticky notes, markers, blank ten frames printed onto coloured paper, rulers, glue, scissors, dice, timers, and counters to a learning invitation. Boost creative thinking skills by adding other random collage items like pompoms, pop sticks, bottle tops, and pieces of streamers.

  You will be surprised at the wonderful games your students can create if given the right prompts and the opportunity. 

Loose Parts and Ten Frames: Supply your students with some empty frames and a few different collections of loose parts like glass gems, pom poms, counters, unifix, stones, and small wood cookies. That’s all you need for your students to consolidate number concepts, counting, subitising, sorting, and patterning using a ten frame. It really can be that simple.

If you like the idea of using loose parts, you might like to use my Reggio-inspired ten frame number mats. They are a great way to incorporate some loose parts play and make a lovely ten frame activity. 

These beautiful mats in a nature theme feature ALL the Australian Curriculum fonts AND a standard elementary font. This resource includes:

• A list of 60 possible loose parts ideas to use with the mats.

• Instructions to tile print the mats so you can change the print-out size.

• 2 bonus learning prompts.

• 20 number mats containing the numeral, number, word, and ten frames for numbers 1 to 20

Ten Frame Animal Tracks: This is one of my most popular investigation areas for ten frames. Set it up at the play dough table so your students can learn about skip counting and number patterns in a hands-on way.

My kids love making animal tracks in the play dough and exploring all the different number combinations they can make.

There are 8 ten frame cardsin this resource. Each one shows a different animal. There’s also a lbonus printable prompt. I just love this fun ten frame setup. It is one of my go-to activities when we are learning about living things in science too.

Dot Paint Ten Frames: For this hands-on investigation of ten frames you just need to add some blank ten frames along with some paint daubers to your art area. Your students will spend ages experimenting with different number combinations as they dot stamp the ten frames.

I always keep some of them and use them as subitising ten-frame flash cards for a math warm-up. Sometimes we add them to a display in the maths area too. This is such a creative way to get the kids involved in making classroom resources. 

In a play-based classroom, the emphasis is on active exploration, creativity, and child-led experiences. Incorporating ten frames into your classroom investigation time allows your students to engage with math concepts in a fun and meaningful way, fostering a positive attitude towards mathematics but also revising and practising essential mathematical skills and concepts.

Not Your Normal Ten Frame

My kids love to use theme-based ten frames. They are ten frames that come in all sorts of themes young children are interested in. 

It’s no secret that I’m a Reggio inspired teacher and I tend to lean towards resources designed around a nature theme. If this resonates with your classroom design, you will love my Reggio inspired nature themed ten frames.

There are 50 beautiful ten-frame printable templates, learning provocation prompts, and more in this comprehensive math resource. All the resources in this ten frame pack feature stunning nature photos.

With this amazing collection of printables, you will be able to set up engaging math provocations that invite your kids to play with numbers and develop their number sense through the wonder of the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

By the way, the Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy that supports experiential learning driven by the interests and abilities of the child. These beautiful blank ten frames complement this approach.

This versatile resource is suited to both indoor and outdoor learning areas. It is perfect for a Reggio inspired learning environment, a Forest school, and any type of nature play. Laminate the ten frames to protect them and create a sturdy resource that can be used over and over again.

Once laminated, these 10 frames can be used in messy play with water and mud. So, if you love using sensory play like I do, laminate a few of the printed ten frames so you’ll have them on hand and ready for your next tactile learning experience.

These versatile tens frames printables will come in handy for:

• Nature play

• Math provocations

• Math investigation areas

• Sensory play

• Math challenges

• Math centers

• Tabletop morning activities

The calming nature theme will look beautiful in your classroom.

Free Printable Ten Frame Flashcards to Print

So if you are ready to start using ten frames in your classroom, don't miss out on the opportunity to grab my FREE Printable Ten Frame Flashcards!

These free printable ten frames include a variety of ten frame cards. There are blank ten frame templates and cards with ten frames filled with counters representing numbers to 10.

If you are teaching early numeracy and are passionate about making math engaging, these free printables are a must-have! These versatile cards are the perfect way for your students to explore counting, addition, subtraction, and so much more. 

These ten frames can be used to teach number sense and subitising. They are great for:

• a quick maths warm-up

• math rotations

• investigation areas or in a math learning center for games

Teacher Tip: Print multiple copies on different coloured paper so you can play matching games!

More Tips and Ideas for Using Ten Frames

When working with young children, it is important to differentiate and adapt your ten frames activities.

Always consider the developmental levels and learning styles of your students.

Here are some general tips and strategies that can help you to cater for your students’ diverse needs:

• Use whole class lessons to briefly introduce ten frames to your class. 

• Use small groups in math group rotations for explicit teaching lessons using ten frames. It is much easier to provide focused attention and support to address specific students’ needs when you only have a small group to focus on. 

• Set up learning centers or investigation areas where your students can practice the skills they have learned and use ten frames with different hands-on activities.

• Make sure you observe and record your observations. This open-ended playtime provides the perfect opportunity for you to note how your children are using ten frames, any misconceptions they might have, and any possible extension activities you could plan.

• Use a multisensory approach where you combine various sensory modalities to enhance learning. Use appropriate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements within your ten frames activities. The more senses you can engage, the more your students will learn and remember.

I can’t stress enough how important your observations are. But it is more than just observing. You need to use your observations to inform your planning.  

Flexibility and differentiation are the keys to meeting the diverse needs of your little kids and ensuring their meaningful engagement and learning with ten frames.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this very long blog post on ten frames, it's clear that they are an invaluable tool for developing foundational math skills in young children. From building number sense and counting proficiency to developing subitising and problem-solving skills, ten frames are a dynamic and engaging math tool.

To bring the magic of ten frames into your classroom, don't forget about your free download. It's a fantastic resource that will save you heaps of time and help make your hands-on math activities more engaging and purposeful. Simply click the pic below to download your free Ten Frames Printable.

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