Place six blocks on the floor. Place a bucket next to the blocks.
Pick up a block and hand it to your toddler.
Help your toddler put the blocks in the bucket until he or she can do it on his or her own. This manipulative helps develop gross motor skills.
Hand the child one block and say, "This is one block," and have the child put the block in the bucket. Then hand your child two blocks and then two blocks. Once he or she masters the concept, you can add more blocks.
Cut one plate in half, another plate into three pieces for thirds and another plate into four pieces for fourths.
Set an uncut plate on a table.
Have your child place the cut pieces on top of the uncut plate. This manipulative allows a child to visualize what 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 look like.
Cut cardboard into 5-inch shapes. Some suggested shapes are squares, circles, stars and hearts.
Punch holes, 1/2-inch in, around the edge of each shape.
Lace a shoelace through the holes to "sew" the card. This manipulative helps to develop a child's fine motor skills.