Let's celebrate a huge milestone: the terrific number Ten! It's the number of fingers on both your hands and toes on both your feet. It's the foundation of our entire number system. Let's explore this amazing number!
Getting to Know the Number 10:
The number ten is a huge and exciting milestone in the world of math! It's our very first double-digit number, made up of a strong '1' and a round '0' standing side-by-side as a team. When you see '10', it represents a complete set, the total number of fingers on your hands, which is why our whole number system is based on it! Understanding 'ten' is like unlocking a new level in the adventure of learning. It's the key to understanding all the bigger numbers that follow. It's a number worth celebrating!
- The Whizki Learning Team
Seeing the Number 10 in Our World
The number ten is a number of completion and the foundation of our counting system. Representing it in different ways helps your child see it as a complete group. Here are a few ways we can show what 'ten' really means.
The Numeral
This is how we write the number ten. It's our first two-digit number, a team made of a '1' and a '0'.
The Word
ten [tɛn]
This is how we read the number. The word 'ten' helps us talk about this important, complete group.
On a Ten-Frame
Ten dots on a ten-frame show a perfectly full frame! This is a powerful and satisfying visual of a complete set of ten.
With Your Fingers
You can show 'ten' with your hands by holding up all the fingers on both your hands. It's the original counting tool!
Practice the Number 10 at Home (No Screens Needed!)
The best learning happens through play. Here are a few simple, screen-free ideas to continue your number 10 adventure together and celebrate this big milestone.
Ten-Frame Treasure Hunt
~1 This activity brings the ten-frame concept to life in a hands-on way. You'll need an empty egg carton (which has 10 spots for eggs in most cases!) and 10 small objects, like pebbles, buttons, or beads. First, go on a 'treasure hunt' around the house or yard to find your ten items. Then, use the egg carton as your ten-frame. Practice counting the items as you place one in each cup. This gives a very concrete, physical representation of what 'ten' looks like as a full set. It's a fantastic activity for one-to-one counting and building a strong foundation for number sense.
The 'Give Me Ten!' Action Game
~2 This is a fun, high-energy gross motor game for practicing counting to ten. The game is simple: you call out a fun action, and your child has to do it exactly ten times while counting aloud. For example: 'Give me ten silly jumps!', 'Give me ten giant stomps!', 'Give me ten fast claps!'. This game gets the whole body involved in the counting process, which helps to anchor the number sequence in a child's memory in a more powerful way than just reciting it. It's a joyful way to practice counting and burn off some energy at the same time.
Storytelling with Ten Fingers
~3 This is a simple but incredibly powerful activity for imagination and counting. It uses the first and best counting tool: our hands! The goal is to tell a collaborative story where each of your ten fingers is a character. You can start the story with your first finger: 'Once upon a time, there was a little bunny...'. Then your child continues the story with the next finger: '...and he met a friendly bear!'. You go back and forth until all ten fingers have joined the story. This activity fosters creativity, communication, and reinforces counting to ten in a narrative, meaningful context.
A Parent's Guide to Arabic Numerals (0-20)
You're doing a great job exploring the world of numbers! Each number has its own unique story. Use this guide as your adventure map to jump to another number you're curious about, or to see how they all fit together in one big, amazing family.
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