“The stakes are high, the tension is rising — we have fewer and fewer tiles left. My son is beaming: ‘I won! I won!’”
We are playing Triomino, which is a kind of domino — but with a twist. Instead of two sides, each piece has three, forming a triangle. The goal is to match the numbers on each side of the triangle with other pieces, building a connected shape. It sounds simple enough, but the strategic thinking involved is surprisingly complex.
Mathematical thinking isn’t just about numbers and equations — it’s about recognising patterns, solving problems, and thinking strategically. One of the best ways to nurture these skills is through play. When my son was a preschooler and later in primary school, we spent countless hours playing games together. One of our favourites was Triomino — and looking back, I realise how much it supported his learning and development.
Triomino is like dominoes but with a twist — instead of two sides, each piece has three, forming a triangle. The goal is to match the numbers on each side of the triangle with other pieces, building a connected shape. It sounds simple enough, but the strategic thinking involved is surprisingly complex.
What made Triomino so engaging was the balance of luck and strategy. My son quickly learned that placing the right piece gave him points. It also opened or blocked opportunities for the next turn. He had to think ahead, consider multiple possibilities, and sometimes take a risk. It was fascinating to see his confidence grow as he mastered the patterns and strategies.
Why Triomino Works So Well for Preschoolers
Triomino isn’t just fun — it’s an excellent resource for supporting mathematical thinking in early childhood settings like a preschool room. Games like Triomino create a natural and enjoyable environment for exploring early maths concepts.
1. Boosts Mathematical Thinking Skills
Triomino taps into several key aspects of mathematical thinking that are highlighted in the AERO Mathematical Thinking Learning Trajectory:
- Preschoolers naturally look for patterns in their environment. Triomino encourages them to identify and extend patterns while predicting what comes next.
- Fitting pieces together strengthens spatial awareness and the ability to mentally rotate shapes — foundational skills for geometry. They learn about shapes.
- Preschoolers begin to understand positioning and relationships between shapes, which supports early measurement concepts.
- Keeping score and recognising number values on the tiles reinforces early numeracy and counting skills. Any domino or card game with numbers supports this skill.
2. Encourages Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
While luck plays a role in which tiles you draw, success in Triomino comes down to strategy. Preschoolers learn to think ahead, plan their moves, and problem-solve when they encounter a tricky piece. This type of strategic thinking builds persistence and flexibility — skills that transfer into other learning areas.
3. Promotes Social and Emotional Development
Games like Triomino are a fantastic way to build social skills in a preschool room:
As we played with my son, he was
- Taking turns
- Practising patience
- Learning to handle wins and losses
- Cooperating and negotiating
When my son and I played, he learned how to think strategically. He also learned how to engage in respectful competition. He learned to celebrate wins and to handle disappointment. These social and emotional skills are just as valuable as the maths skills being developed.
4. Supports Communication and Language
Discussing the game — talking about patterns, shapes, and strategies — encourages children to use mathematical language. Explaining their reasoning also helps them develop confidence in their thinking and communication.
Linking to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Playing Triomino supported my son’s learning in ways that align closely with key outcomes from the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V2.0:
- Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners – My son showed persistence and problem-solving skills, experimenting with different strategies to maximise his points.
- Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators – We often discussed the game and strategies, improving his ability to explain his thinking and engage in reflective conversations.
Why Triomino is Ideal for Preschool Rooms
Triomino is an easy game to set up and adaptable to different ages and skill levels, making it a great fit for preschool rooms. Here’s why it works so well in early learning settings:
✅ Flexible for group play – Triomino works well with two players but can easily be adapted for small group play, encouraging teamwork and shared problem-solving. I would play this game early in the morning in long day care or after the majority of kids have left.
✅ Develops executive function – Preschoolers need to focus, plan ahead, and shift strategies when things don’t go as expected — all key elements of executive function.
✅ Encourages peer learning – Children naturally learn from each other, so watching peers’ moves and discussing strategies enhances learning.
✅ Promotes fine motor skills – Picking up and placing the triangular tiles helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
More Than Just a Game
Beyond the fun, Triomino helped my son develop essential mathematical skills — recognising patterns, understanding symmetry, and improving spatial awareness. But more importantly, it taught him how to think critically and make decisions under pressure — skills that go far beyond the game itself.
Looking back, I realise that these moments of play were about more than just learning. They were about connection — sitting together at the table, laughing over unexpected moves, and celebrating small wins. Mathematical thinking isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about learning how to approach them with confidence, creativity, and a bit of fun. Triomino gave us all that and more.
Have you played triomino before?