These free counting mats are perfect for teaching one to one correspondence!
Are you teaching your toddler or preschooler to count?
You may find that your child can count to 10 by rote without any trouble… but counting objects is another matter.
It’s normal for two-year-olds to be able to count groups of two. As they get closer to age three, they learn to count larger groups with accuracy.
There are exceptions. I remember that my oldest son counted 16 tiny stars on a playing card when he was 2 1/2.
But our youngest son, who recently turned three, is doing more of what you’d expect of a child his age.
I designed these fish bubble counting mats to help him count groups up to 10 with accuracy — because he could put the glass gems right on the circles, counting one by one. We called the gems “bubbles.” They’re such a fun manipulative to use!
When he got a new counting mat, he first identified the number. Then he counted the light blue circles. Next, he pulled out the glass gems and placed them on each one. I reminded him to count the “bubbles” as he added them. Sometimes we counted together.
When he was finished a mat, he often chosen to count the glass bubbles one last time.
What a lot of practice with counting and one to one correspondence!
UPDATE: A reader requested I add #11-20. You’ll find those in the download, PLUS a set of mats without the blue background to save on colored ink. Enjoy!
Looking for more free counting mats?
Get your free fish bubble counting mats!
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Natasha
Hello,
I have tried to download this about ten times but it keeps bringing me back to the page and making me re-enter my email and name. Is there another way that I can get this please?
Kate Dowling
Hi Natasha!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I’m sorry you’re having trouble! After you enter your email address, the file is immediately sent to your email. Please check to see if it’s in your inbox. If you can’t find it, please check your spam/trash/junk and promotions folders. Thanks for giving it another try!
monica
I still can’t download nor find the button to. When I subscribed for more free printables it was not included in the pack.
Heather Groth, Customer Support
It should be there now, Monica! Just scroll up from here to the box that says, “Get your free fish bubble counting mats!”
jallene
i cannot download the mat, help me please
Anna G
When you click on the button, you should see a pop up so you can enter your information; then the file will be emailed to you. If you don’t see that, I would try a different device or browser.
Dolores
Thank you so much for all your lovely resources and ideas.
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Dolores!
Ruth
These mats are so cute and I think they will be motivating for some of my special needs students. Thank you so much for making them free.
Are there any tips for printing using less ink? Always on a budget.
Anna G
Actually, if you check the download it does have a lower ink option (without the blue background.)
maxmilla
Gosh! i feel so blessed and nourished by your ideas and resources. words cant express how grateful i am. i shall reward you by sending you photos of how children are benefiting from these resources. please if you could send me the best ( not public) way to contact you on my g mail account i will really appreciate.
Anna G
Thank you, Maxmilla – I’d love to see your learners in action! You can send them to me at anna(at)themeasuredmom(dot)com.
Angie
Wow! These look so engaging! Can’t wait to print, laminate, and get to work with my students who need practice counting!
Anna Geiger
You’re welcome, Angie – I hope your students enjoy them!
Janette McMaster
Thank you Anna!
I know I have said this before… but your resources are just brilliant! My children at school are going to enjoy these after half-term!
Kind Regards
Janette
Anna Geiger
Thank you, Janette – that is always so wonderful to hear!
Megan
I can’t download it- Help please!!!
Anna Geiger
Please click on the box that says “Is the file not downloading or not printing correctly?” 99% of the time, one of those tips works. 🙂
Nicci
I love your products, I am a special ed teacher turning SAHM for a bit. I used your counting bears worksheets in my class and one of our program specialists asked where I got them. I was happy to tell her “The MeasuredMom!” Thank you for providing quality, educational products for free and for us to use in the classroom and at home.
Anna Geiger
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Nicci, and a big thanks for spreading the word about my site! 🙂 I’m so glad you can use my products.
Luisa Rees
I absolutely love this resource but I can’t seem to download it. I was hoping to use it as an independent activity in my maths area for tomorrow. I checked your page which helps me to download it, but I’ve tried every option and it doesn’t seem to work! Such a shame. Love the resource!
Anna Geiger
What browser are you using? And what happens when you RIGHT click, save to your computer, and open? Please let me know so I can help you solve the issue.
SoCal Sandy
Thank you so much! So simple, yet so fun!!
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome!
Kristin
We love these fish counting mats. We start at the large number (10 for us) and use fruit chews. After the first card, she gets to eat one, and then we move on to the next card. Supper cute!
Anna Geiger
I’m glad you found a fun way to use them, Kristin!
Holly B.
These mats are great for my tots! The one-to-one correspondence really helps the know when to stop putting the counters on the mat! I wish I could change the nest counting mat for them, too!
Anna Geiger
HI Holly! I decided not to change the nests because the clip art doesn’t allow for much space. I wouldn’t have enough room to make the printed dots on each one.
holly
That’s ok. Thanks so much for all your amazing printables!
Christina
These are so cute! My 3 year old loves Nemo and these remind me of those underwater characters! I love that there is a different creature on each card! Your site is great! Thank you for all the great free resources!
Do you offer these fish bubble printable in 11-20? I want to continue practicing one-to-one correspondence with 11-20, but many of your printables that have 11-20 have the same image on all the cards (eggs in the net, dump truck, squirrel nuts in the tree). I love these fish bubbles so much because each card is a little different, but they are all still the same theme.
Thanks in advance!
Anna Geiger
Hi Christina!
I did finally add #11-20 to these fish bubble counting mats. You’re welcome to come by and download them!
Christina
Thanks so much! I really do love these bubble mats!
jallene
hello i cannot download it, can you help me?
Erin Slagg
Love! This is creative and fun! Printing and laminating tonight for math warm-up tomorrow. Thank you!