Base 10 — Let’s play with tens!
Base 10 is how we count using groups of ten. It helps us understand big numbers by making piles of 10.
1. Start with what the child knows: fingers
Say: "You have 10 fingers." Put all 10 fingers up and say that is one ten (🔟). If you hold up only 7 fingers, that is 7 ones (7).
2. Show one example with toys or blocks
Take little toys or blocks. Make a line of 10 toys — that is one ten (🔟). Now next to that pile put 3 single toys — those are 3 ones (3).
Saying the number: one ten and three ones = 13. Write it as 13.
3. Use pictures or emojis
Seven is: 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦 (7 ones).
Twelve is: 🔟 🟦🟦 (one ten and two ones).
Twenty-three is: 🔟 🔟 🟦🟦🟦 (two tens and three ones).
4. Names of the places
- Ones — single items (0–9)
- Tens — groups of ten (10, 20, 30 ...)
- Hundreds — ten groups of ten = 100 (💯)
5. Quick activity to practice (try with the child)
- Give 15 blocks. Ask: "How many tens? How many ones?" (Answer: 1 ten + 5 ones = 15.)
- Make groups of 10 cars. Count each group as 'one ten.' If you have 3 groups and 4 extra cars, say 34.
- Ask: "If we have 10 tens, what do we get?" (Answer: 100 — a hundred.)
6. Simple practice questions (and answers)
- How many tens in 40? — 4 tens (🔟🔟🔟🔟)
- What is 2 tens and 6 ones? — 26
- If you have 9 ones and add 1 more, what happens? — They become 1 ten (🔟)
Keep it playful. Use fingers, toys, snacks, or blocks. When the child sees 10 things become a new pile called a "ten," base 10 will start to make sense!