Object x numeral - whole objects (4x4): Sea animals

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Object x digit – complete objects (4x4): Sea animals – sort, count and combine in a double-entry table.

Which picture belongs with the fish and the digit 3? And where should the turtle with the digit 2 go? In this interactive matrix activity, preschoolers learn through play how to combine two characteristics. They drag the pictures to the correct position in a 4 x 4 double-entry table. They look at the type of sea animal in the rows and the digit at the top of the columns.

The rows of the matrix contain four familiar sea animals: fish, crab, seahorse and turtle. The columns are labelled with the digits 1, 2, 3 and 4. For each cell, children must use both characteristics at the same time. For example, they look for the correct cell for three fish, two crabs or four seahorses. In this way, preschoolers discover step by step how a double-entry table is structured.

Preschoolers practise logical thinking and classification skills by combining two properties each time. They learn to look carefully at the row and column, compare information and determine where a picture belongs. This stimulates skills such as sorting, analysing, visual discrimination and problem-solving.

Early numeracy skills are also practised extensively. Children recognise the digits 1 to 4, count how many sea animals appear in a picture and match a quantity to the correct digit. In this way, they playfully practise number sense, counting, comparing quantities and linking a digit to a concrete quantity.

This free educational app also pays considerable attention to language development. Thanks to spoken support, preschoolers hear words and concepts related to the activity. Concepts such as fish, crab, seahorse, turtle, row, column, digit and quantity can be introduced and repeated in a meaningful context. By looking, listening and acting, children process and remember new vocabulary more effectively.

The appealing sea-animal theme makes the activity even more inviting. Preschoolers work with familiar animals from the sea while practising important skills that form a foundation for later mathematical thinking. The activity can therefore also be linked to themes such as the sea, the ocean, aquatic animals and life underwater.

Thanks to the simple drag-and-drop controls, children also practise their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and digital skills. The pictures are dragged one by one to the correct cell of the 4x4 matrix. The free app is suitable for use on tablets, computers, interactive whiteboards and other digital learning environments.

This educational matrix activity is ideal for preschool teachers, support teachers, parents and caregivers looking for a playful way to work on double-entry tables, logical thinking, classification, the digits 1 to 4, counting, quantities, number sense, sea animals, vocabulary development and digital literacy.

Let children playfully combine fish, crabs, seahorses and turtles with the correct digits and give them a strong foundation for mathematical thinking, language and learning to work with a double-entry table.

In the online logbook, parents and teachers can easily review afterwards which apps were used and which results were achieved.

Learning goals

  • Logical and mathematical thinking
    • Compare objects and images based on observable properties.
    • Recognize and distinguish properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, object, character, emotion, orientation and direction of movement.
    • Classify and organize images based on one or more characteristics.
    • Recognize and use similarities and differences between images to make a choice.
    • Take two criteria into account simultaneously: a row criterion and a column criterion.
    • Determine which image matches the combination of two given properties.
    • Establish logical relationships between row criteria, column criteria and the corresponding cells of a table.
    • Systematically examine and complete a double-entry table.
    • Solve a simple mathematical problem by comparing, combining and applying information.
    • Check a chosen solution based on the given properties.
    • Handle increasing complexity in 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 tables.
  • Classifying and organizing
    • Group images based on a common characteristic.
    • Take more than one property into account when organizing images.
    • Select an image that belongs to both a specific row and a specific column.
    • Recognize that one image can have multiple properties at the same time.
    • Distinguish relevant characteristics from characteristics that are not important for the task.
    • Adjust a classification when a different criterion is used.
  • Spatial orientation and structuring
    • Navigate within a grid with rows, columns and individual cells.
    • Understand the relationship between a row, a column and their intersection.
    • Place an image in the correct position within a two-dimensional structure.
    • Purposefully compare and distinguish positions within a grid.
    • Functionally use and understand concepts such as above, below, left, right, row, column and cell.
    • Navigate a visual structure clearly and systematically.
  • Number sense
    • Recognize and distinguish concrete quantities.
    • Match quantities with appropriate number representations or numerals when these are used as a criterion.
    • Relate different representations of the same quantity to one another.
    • Compare and classify number representations, numerals and concrete quantities.
    • Use numerical properties as a criterion within a double-entry table.
  • Visual perception and pattern recognition
    • Focus on characteristics of images and distinguish details from one another.
    • Visually recognize and compare shapes, colors, sizes, patterns and orientations.
    • Recognize regularity and recurring characteristics within rows and columns.
    • Analyze visual information to determine which image belongs in a particular position.
    • Focus attention on multiple visual characteristics simultaneously.
  • Language development
    • Expand vocabulary related to properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, direction, quantity and position.
    • Understand concepts used to describe similarities and differences.
    • Understand simple oral instructions related to classifying, comparing and placing.
    • Name and describe properties of objects and images.
    • Explain why an image belongs to a particular combination of characteristics.
    • Functionally use mathematical concepts such as row, column, cell, same, different, larger, smaller, above, below, left and right.
  • Problem-solving and independent thinking
    • Approach a task step by step and use an appropriate problem-solving strategy.
    • Examine the characteristics before placing an image.
    • Check a choice based on both criteria.
    • Recognize an error and adjust a solution when an image does not meet both conditions.
    • Analyze and solve a double-entry table with increasing independence.
    • Maintain attention and concentration during a multi-step task.
  • Digital literacy
    • Use a digital application purposefully.
    • Perform drag-and-drop actions to place images in the correct cell of a grid.
    • Use digital feedback to check a solution and adjust it if necessary.
    • Work independently or with guidance on an interactive mathematical exercise.
  • Motor development
    • Practice fine motor skills by purposefully dragging and dropping images.
    • Strengthen hand-eye coordination when using a mouse, touchscreen or interactive whiteboard.
    • Accurately place an image within a defined cell of a grid.
    • Act purposefully and with control within a digital environment.

QR code

You can use the downloadable QR code below to navigate directly to this app.