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Introduction to Math Manipulatives

by Jennifer Asimow

Math manipulatives can be ANYTHING that children move, or manipulate, when solving math-related problems. They are most often hand-held items, small enough to be configured into visual representations of math concepts. They can be store bought, teacher-made or found.

As children physically move math manipulatives, it broadens their learning from watching and listening to solving and doing. Remember, children learn from taking in information through all of their senses while they actively participate in the world around them.

Over the next several weeks, we will be looking in depth each Monday at a different math manipulative. I will introduce many manipulatives that may be familiar to you and others that will hopefully, be new to you.

I’d love to hear what math manipulatives you use regularly in your homes, what manipulatives you have but are not sure how to use and others you would like to know more about.

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