# Fine Motor Math Play
> Stand foam numbers 1-5 behind flattened playdough discs, then have kids count out marbles and press them into each disc to match the number. Toddlers practice naming numbers and beginning to count; preschoolers count and match.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/fine-motor-math-play/
- Ages: 2–5 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 10 min, activity 15 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class · one batch serves about 1 kids
- Skills: fine-motor, counting, number-recognition, one-to-one-correspondence
- Cautions: wheat-gluten, ingestion-risk

## Materials (one batch)
- 6 piece Playdough
- 5 piece Foam numbers 1-5
- 15 piece Marbles or flat glass gems
- 1 piece Small jar or bowl for the marbles (household)

## Safety
- Marbles and glass gems are a choking hazard. Supervise closely, especially with toddlers and children who still mouth objects.
- Count the marbles back in at the end so none are left on the floor.
- Playdough is not food. Most playdough, homemade or store-bought, contains wheat flour.

## Steps
1. Roll five balls of playdough and flatten them into discs.
2. Line the discs up in a row on the floor or table.
3. Stand the foam numbers 1 to 5 upright in small lumps of playdough, one behind each disc.
4. Put the marbles in a small jar or bowl next to the row.
5. Point to each number and say its name together.
6. Count out marbles to match the number and press them into that disc.
7. Check each disc by counting its marbles again.

## Tips
- For a toddler, the goal is to identify numbers and begin counting.
- For a preschooler, the goal is to count the marbles and match them correctly to the number.
- A reader planned it as an easy after-dinner activity for her almost-three-year-old. (from readers)

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

******Fine motor math play for toddlers and pre-schoolers******



Toddler

Identify numbers and begin counting



Pre Schooler

Counts the marbles and matches them correctly to the number.

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