The Flip-String to 20 is a tactile beadstring maths manipulative from Autopress Education that helps children and learners with SEND build number sense, counting skills, and an understanding of numbers 1 to 20 through concrete, hands-on exploration. Suitable for EYFS through to KS2 and for any learner who benefits from physical, multi-sensory maths support, it is equally at home in the classroom and on the kitchen table.

Twenty brightly coloured tiles are threaded onto a high-quality 52cm cord. The tiles are arranged in distinct colour groups of five, which encourages subitising - the ability to recognise a quantity at a glance without needing to count each item individually. Each tile measures 2.2 x 2.2cm and is printed with a numeral from 1 to 20 on one side, with a plain blank reverse. This flip function allows teachers and parents to hide and reveal numbers, creating simple but effective activities for ordering, identifying missing numbers, and practising number recognition without relying on worksheets.

For schools and classrooms

• Multi-sensory maths support: the combination of colour coding, physical movement, and number recognition makes this resource effective for learners who struggle with abstract number concepts.
• Flexible for differentiation: the blank reverse means the same resource can be used as a number line visible tool or as a hide-and-reveal challenge, supporting different levels within one class.
• Fits Quality First Teaching and SEN provision: works well as a concrete manipulative within a structured maths intervention or as a low-key desk resource for learners with SEND.
• Supports EHCP targets: particularly relevant for children with targets around number sense, counting, and mathematical reasoning.
• Suitable from EYFS to KS2: appropriate for early years settings, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, and as a support tool for older learners in KS2 who have not yet secured number sense to 20.

For parents and home use

• Simple to use at home: no instructions needed - children naturally pick it up, flip tiles, and explore numbers at their own pace.
• Builds confidence gently: the tactile, playful format takes the pressure off formal number work, helping children engage with counting and ordering without it feeling like a test.
• Supports homework and home maths practice: a useful companion for children who find written number work difficult, giving them a concrete tool to count on rather than relying solely on memory.
• Age-appropriate for children aged 3 to 9: accessible for younger children starting to learn to count, and still valuable for older children who need continued support with number to 20.

Learners with general SEND, dyscalculia, and working memory difficulties often find abstract number work frustrating because they cannot easily hold number sequences in their mind. The Flip-String to 20 addresses this directly by making numbers visible, moveable, and colour-coded. The grouping of tiles into fives supports the development of subitising, which research in early mathematics education consistently identifies as a foundation skill for number fluency. Physical manipulation of the string gives learners a kinaesthetic anchor that supports counting, ordering, and basic addition and subtraction far more effectively than pencil-and-paper tasks alone.

Whether you are a SENCO building a maths toolkit for your intervention room, a class teacher looking for a concrete resource to support a pupil with SEND at their desk, or a parent wanting a practical and engaging way to support your child's number learning at home, the Flip-String to 20 is a straightforward, durable, and highly versatile tool that earns its place in any maths resource collection.

• 20 coloured tiles in groups of five - colour coding supports subitising and makes it easy to see quantities at a glance without counting individually
• Numbered 1 to 20 on one side, blank on reverse - the flip function allows numbers to be hidden and revealed for a range of counting and ordering activities
• High-quality 52cm threading cord included - durable lace for ordering, sequencing, and pattern-making activities
• Tile size: 2.2 x 2.2cm - large enough for small hands to grip and manipulate easily
• Lace length: 52cm - long enough to lay flat on a desk or table for comparison and ordering work
• Suitable for ages approximately 3 to 9 years (EYFS to KS2) - also appropriate for older SEND learners who are consolidating number to 20
• Supports subitising, number recognition, counting, ordering, and early addition and subtraction
• No batteries or power required - fully self-contained, tactile resource
• Manufactured by Autopress Education - UK-based specialist educational resource publisher and supplier
• What is included: 20 numbered/blank tiles pre-threaded on a 52cm cord

• Supports learners with SEND from the very first use. Colour-coded groups of five and numbered tiles give children with dyscalculia and general learning differences a concrete anchor for number work to 20.
• The flip function makes one resource do two jobs. Show numbers for recognition practice, or hide them to challenge ordering and memory - no extra equipment needed.
• Proven design for classroom and home. The beadstring format is a long-established concrete manipulative recommended across structured maths intervention programmes in UK schools.
• Trusted specialist retailer. Supplied by The Dyslexia Shop, a UK retailer dedicated entirely to supporting learners with dyslexia and learning differences.
• Easy to use from day one. No batteries, no setup, no instructions required - children simply pick it up and explore.

What's in the Box

• 20 x double-sided numbered tiles (1-20 one side, blank reverse), pre-threaded on cord
• 1 x 52cm threading cord (lace)

Care and Cleaning

Wipe clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not submerge in water. Keep away from sharp objects that could damage the threading cord.

Safety and Age Suitability

Suitable for ages 3 and above. Adult supervision is recommended for young children. The threading cord should be checked regularly for signs of wear.

Delivery and Returns

Standard UK delivery applies. See our Delivery and Returns page for full details.

• What is the Flip-String to 20 and what does it do?
  The Flip-String to 20 is a beadstring counting manipulative with 20 coloured tiles threaded onto a 52cm cord. The tiles are numbered 1 to 20 on one side and blank on the other. Children use it for counting, number ordering, subitising practice, and early addition and subtraction work. The blank reverse allows adults to hide numbers and challenge children to identify or place them in the correct order.
• Who is the Flip-String to 20 suitable for?
  It is designed for children from EYFS through to KS2 - roughly ages 3 to 9. It is also valuable for older learners with SEND who are still consolidating number sense to 20. Teachers, SENCOs, and parents will all find it a straightforward and versatile resource for both classroom and home use.
• How does this resource support children with SEND and general learning differences?
  Many children with general SEND, dyscalculia, and working memory difficulties struggle with abstract number work. The Flip-String to 20 gives them a physical, visible, moveable representation of numbers. Handling the tiles and moving them along the cord provides a kinaesthetic learning experience that supports number sense in a way that worksheets alone cannot. The colour grouping in fives further supports subitising, which is a key foundation skill for number fluency.
• How does subitising help children who find maths difficult?
  Subitising is the ability to recognise how many objects are in a group without counting each one. Research in early mathematics education shows it is a foundational skill for developing number fluency. Children with SEND or dyscalculia often lack this skill, meaning they rely on slow, effortful counting for every calculation. The colour-grouped tiles on the Flip-String to 20 help children practise subitising in a low-pressure, hands-on way.
• Can this be used as part of a maths intervention programme in school?
  Yes. The Flip-String to 20 works well as a concrete manipulative within structured maths interventions and within Quality First Teaching in the classroom. It is particularly well suited to supporting children with targets around counting, number recognition, and ordering. SENCOs and intervention teachers will find it a durable, easy-to-use addition to a maths resource kit.
• Is the Flip-String to 20 suitable for use at home with my child?
  Yes. It requires no setup and no instructions - children can explore it independently or with a parent or carer. It is particularly useful for children who find written number work frustrating, as it provides a concrete, physical alternative. Parents can use simple activities such as ordering the tiles from 1 to 20, hiding certain numbers and asking their child to identify which are missing, or using the cord to count on and back from a given number.
• What year groups is this resource aimed at?
  The Flip-String to 20 is most commonly used in EYFS, Year 1, and Year 2. It is also appropriate as a support tool for pupils in KS2 who have not yet secured number sense to 20, particularly those receiving SEN support or working within a structured maths intervention.
• How does this compare to a standard beadstring?
  A traditional beadstring uses coloured beads threaded on a wire or cord. The Flip-String to 20 replaces the beads with flat, printed tiles. The tiles are larger and easier to read, the numerals on one side add a direct number recognition element, and the blank reverse introduces a hide-and-reveal function that a standard beadstring does not offer. This makes it a more flexible resource for targeted number work.