Learning Resources Three Bear Family - Manual (Page 2)

Three Bear Family ® Counters are
perfect for helping young children act
out and understand abstract math
concepts. These adorable counters are
also great for imaginative play!
Activities focus on
these number concepts
Sorting by Color and Size
Sort the Bears into color sets. For a
young child, limit the number of
counters to be sorted. Gradually
increase the number as he/she
becomes more confident. Have the
child compare sets. For example,
the child sorts 5 red Bears and 3 blue
Bears. Use the words more and
fewer to describe the sets. Repeat this
activity using size instead of color.
A Color Parade
Have children sort the Bears by color
into lines, and have a color parade.
Be sure to use the words first, second,
third, etc., and the words next and last.
Counting
Make a set of cards numbered from
1-9. Have the child place the correct
number of Bears on each card. Use the
words most and fewest. Ask, “Which
card has the most Bears? Which has the
fewest Bears?”
Zoo Bears
For this activity you will need 5
paper cups. Place a numeral from 1-5
on the bottom of each cup. The child
puts the correct number of Bears into
each "cage." You may also wish to put a
patch of color on the bottom of each
cup so that the child is counting and
sorting by color.
Counting Game
Three people can play this game. Place
all the Bears in the center of a table.
Players take turns rolling the die and
gathering the corresponding number of
Bears from the center. Play until all the
counters are gone from the center. The
winner is the one with the most Bears
at the end of play.
Estimating
Ask the child, "How many Bears do you
think you can hold in one hand?"
Record the answer. Then see how many
the child can actually hold in one
hand. Compare the numbers. Use the
words more and few. Repeat this game
using two hands.
Visual Memory
For a visual memory exercise,
make a line with 4 different colored
Bears. Have the child study the Bears
for a few moments. While the child's
eyes are closed, remove only one of the
Bears, leaving the others in place. Ask
the child to open his/her eyes and tell
you which Bear is missing.
•sorting
•comparing sets
•addition
•counting
•estimating •subtraction
•visual memory
•patterning
•sequencing