Ten Frame

Perhaps one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to visually and tangibly learn how to count numbers 1-10 and add or subtract, the ten frame is a quickly becoming an invaluable tool in the preschool, kindergarten and early years classrooms. While many ten frames are made of paper, we made this from wood for that extra kinesthetic learning power, and small enough for your kiddo to tuck into a backpack and take to school.

HOW IT WORKS

The ten frame has two rows and each row has 5 divots, totalling 10 divots. When you present this to your little one, count the divots together until you reach the last one (the tenth). Then add the balls into the divots, again counting to reach 10.

Observe that whenever you see a full ten frame, you know there are 10 balls. The full frame is 10 - which means that a half frame (one row) is 5.

If you now count the bottom row of 5 balls and take them out, you can say "We have only filled half of our frame with 5 balls. There is another row of 5 and it's empty. It looks like 5 plus 5 equals 10".

Can you see what happened there? Through observation, you've just taught simple math: 5+5=10

Or you could fill the frame, and again observe there are 10 balls and it is full. If you remove a row, how many will remain? See if your kiddo can predict the answer using the understanding that a full row equals 5.

Bam. Without flashcards or drilling or pressure, you've just done simple subtraction: 10-5=5.

If you fill the top row (5) and then add 2 more underneath, you can say "I know that a full row is 5. There are 2 balls in the next row. It looks like 5 plus 2 equals 7" (5+2=7)

You could also say "10 minus 3 equals 7" because there are 3 empty divots.

Later on, you can turn the ten frame vertically and put 2 balls (1 ball in each row) in at a time, and count in pairs. (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

The ten frame creates a strong, deep, concrete understanding of numbers because it looks at the relationship of numbers to one another and not as isolated values that are only learned through rote memorization.

PRE-PRESCHOOLERS: TODDLERS

Even if your little one isn't able to count, he or she can still use a ten frame. (Just remove the balls as they pose a high choking hazard until 3 years old.)

Through sensory and loose parts like rainbow rice, flowers, tiny beans or sand*, your little one can fill the divots. You can leave it as a complete open-ended experience, or you can use a scoop and count together as you go along.

The idea is that an association is created: without even realizing that she is learning, she is associating numbers in groups of 5 so that later in the preschool years, she will be able to connect those open-ended experiences with the tangible placement of balls in the ten frame, and easily grasp the relationship between 5 and 10.

*Always ensure these items are safe from allergic reactions and choking hazards for your child.

THE FRAME

The ten frame is made of one piece of pure maple wood.
It is 7 inches long x 3 inches wide by 3/4 of an inch high. (Think roughly the size of a wide pencil case.)
The wooden balls are 7/8 inch in diameter. (Think roughly the size of a red grape.)

The ten frame comes with 10 wooden balls that are unpainted. If you would like to have the balls painted, please select "Coloured balls" and let me know the colour(s) you would like in a note. Colour options are any colour that you see in any of our painted toys. The paint is eco-based, no-VOC without icky toxins like formaldehyde.

The divots also fit our mini eggs and acorns, creating pincer challenges and strengthening those fingers for grasping pencils.

Use the numbers from our number puzzle to strengthen the number relationship.

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A note about wooden toys: Wood is a natural material and as such, has various unique markings. Variations in wood grain, color, knots, or texture are all natural occurrences in these hand-crafted wooden products. These unique variations and markings are proof of quality, not defects. Enjoy the markings that make your toy unique!

There may be a difference in colour between what you see on your screen and what you receive in real life. This is due to different monitors and displays, and while we wish there was just one universal monitor for everyone, that isn't the case.

If you have any concerns or problems with any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. We want you to be entirely satisfied with what you have received and will do everything possible to make it right.