“How many marshmallows would you like with your hot chocolate, Miss?” asks Cody, imitating a waiter in a fine restaurant as he holds out a tray of yellow pompoms.

“Can I have five, please?” Makenzie responds.

“One, two, three, four, five . . . there you go!” says Cody as he counts out the pretend marshmallows with a flourish.

Then he moves on to Zachary, who says, “I’d like seven marshmallows, please.”

“Okay, ” Cody replies. He glances down at his tray to estimate the number of remaining marshmallows. “But I don’t think I have that many.”

Then he starts to count again, plunking the pretend marshmallows one by one into the different sections of his ten frame to keep track. “One, two, three, four, five . . . hmm, that’s all I have.”

Through this simple interaction, Cody and his friends are developing a deeper understanding of numbers and quantities. When children use ten frames in play, they are actively exploring math concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Ten frames help children visualize numbers and grasp concepts such as grouping, patterns, and relationships.

By physically moving the pompoms from the tray to the different sections of the ten frame, they are also engaging in kinesthetic learning, which is a vital part of early childhood development. This physical interaction with numbers reinforces abstract math concepts such as counting, subitizing (recognizing small quantities without counting), and one-to-one correspondence.

At first, a ten frame may simply feel like part of a game—something that the children use to count objects, organize toys, or create patterns. This playful early exposure to ten frames will make these learning tools less intimidating when they are introduced later as part of the formal primary school curriculum.

The use of ten frames in an informal, low-pressure setting also reduces math anxiety and boosts confidence as children become more comfortable with numbers. When the focus is on exploration and play rather than “getting the right answer,” children develop a positive, confident attitude toward math.

The simple act of filling and emptying a ten frame or organizing objects into groups strengthens neural connections that are crucial for brain development. This tactile play builds fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities—all essential for future learning.

When children move objects around in ten frames, they are doing more than practicing math: They are developing foundational skills that will support every aspect of their cognitive development. The more children touch, feel, and explore, the more they learn!

I encourage you to add ten frames to your classroom or home play area and watch as the children engage with them in creative and exciting ways. The best part? You don’t need a formal lesson to get started. Simply let the children explore the ten frames as part of their play and watch how they naturally build basic math skills along the way.

For a story that ties in beautifully with math and the magic of marshmallows, check out The Last Marshmallow by Grace Lin. This charming tale of sharing and counting is perfect for building early math skills through storytelling.

After your book share, check out our “Hot Cocoa Math” lesson plan for a fun and easy way to integrate ten frames into play!