Use these Loose Parts Number Mats with loose parts like stones, counters, play dough or math manipulatives to make setting up your next hands-on math exploration easy and educational. They are perfect for teaching number concepts to 20 through loose parts play.

Address Multiple Skills

Specifically designed for early childhood classrooms, these Reggio-inspired mats encourage creativity, critical thinking, and purposeful math talk - all while developing fine motor skills and foundational math skills at the same time!

Whether you're working on number recognition, pattern creation, or exploring quantities on ten frames, these mats are your go-to resource for educational and engaging play-based learning activities.

What’s Included in This Loose Parts Number Mats Resource:

• 20 Number Mats: Featuring the numeral, number word, and ten frame for all the numbers from 1 to 20.

• 6 Font Options to Choose From: Queensland Beginner’s Font, NSW Foundation Font, SA Beginner’s Font, Tasmania Beginner’s Font, Victoria Modern Cursive (also for WA & NT), and a Standard Elementary Font.

• 3 Printable Learning Prompts: Use for guided math discussions and provocation questions.

• 8 Student Recording Sheets: Track student progress with multiple styles of recording sheets.

• Teacher Observation Checklists: Easily document student learning during loose parts play with two styles of checklists.

• Teacher Cheat Sheet of Math Questions to ask during loose parts play.

• Teacher Reference List of all the skills and knowledge supported by these Loose Parts Number Mats.

• 60 Loose Parts Ideas: Comprehensive list of materials to inspire creative play and learning.

• Tile Printing Instructions: Customize the printout size of your mats for various classroom setups.

• Printable Document Wallet Label: Organize your resources neatly for easy access.

Why Teachers Love These Number Mats

• Beautiful Nature-Inspired Design: Each mat showcases beautiful real-life nature photos to help you create calming Reggio-inspired provocations. This ensures they complement any classroom décor, and are especially useful for outdoor nature play.

• Supports Correct Numeral Formation: With 6 different fonts, including ALL the Australian Curriculum fonts and a standard Elementary font, these mats ensure your students will learn the correct numeral formation that aligns with your curriculum.

• Naturally Differentiated for Student Success: The open-ended nature of these mats invites students to work at their own pace and that will help them feel successful and stay on task without you having to hover over them.

• Open-Ended to Foster Creativity: These mats encourage active exploration and allow children to engage use the materials in multiple ways, boosting both engagement and creative thinking during math activities.

• Versatile for Any Classroom Setup: Whether you’re using them in small group rotations, independent work, or at numeracy centers, these mats are perfect for hands-on learning, fine motor development, and creative play. They adapt easily to a wide range of activities, from math lessons to art and sensory play.

• Effortless Setup for Busy Teachers: With print-and-go convenience, all you need to do is print, laminate, and provide a few loose parts or playdough. You’ll be ready to implement engaging math activities in no time—perfect for busy educators who need flexible, ready-to-use resources.

Linked to ACARA Content Descriptions:

• AC9MFN01: Name, represent, and order numbers to at least 20 using physical and virtual materials.

• AC9MFN03: Quantify and compare collections up to 20 using counting strategies.

• AC9MFN04: Partition and combine collections up to 10 using part-part-whole relationships.

• AC9MFA01: Recognize, copy, and continue repeating patterns represented in different ways.

These Loose Parts Play Mats are Perfect for:

• Hands-on math centers

• Small group rotations

• Fine motor skills development

• Morning tubs or soft start activities

• Busy bags

• Early finishers

• Numeracy centers

• Assessment support

5-Star Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• "My students loved using this resource for one-to-one correspondence practice, counting on, and many more math skills.”

• "A brilliant resource to invite Kindergarten children to start exploring numbers!" 

Purchase your Loose Parts Number Mats today and provide an enriching, play-based learning experience that helps students build foundational math skills through sensory exploration and creative play.