How to make the Valentine Counting activity:
- Make little mailboxes out of milk cartons or purchase them. They are readily sold as party favor boxes at Target and online through Oriental Trading.
- Label each mailbox with a number. (You can print the pink envelope numbers that are pictured above HERE for free.)
- Print the counting hearts from this Valentine’s Number Mat set.
Valentine Number Mats
The holiday number mats can be used on their own like this:
Engaging Reluctant Learners
Some students do not have a lot of interest in sitting and completing the more “academic” centers. They are content to play in the blocks, at the sensory table, or in dramatic play all day and more reluctant to spend time at the math or literacy centers. The trick is to provide centers that are irresistible to attract them to those areas. These little mailboxes are irresistible!
It works! As soon as the preschoolers see the mailboxes, the students will want to count and sort the cards. Choose the right number of mailboxes and cards for your students’ needs.
In addition to practicing one-to-one counting, they are also learning about subitizing, tens frames, tallies and base 10 blocks.
Valentine’s Day Interactive Bulletin Board
More counting practice for preschoolers! See the pictures here.
Looking for more hands-on Valentine’s Centers for your preschoolers? Try these:
