Maths
Key points and how to support Maths
There are two aspects of Maths;
- Numbers
- Shape, space and measure
Numbers
The number aspect of Maths focuses on a child's awareness of numbers and counting. The only target for children 0-11 months is to notice changes in number of objects/images or sounds in groups of up to 3. By the time a child reaches 26 months old they should be able to say some counting words randomly. One target for a three year old would be to recite numbers up to ten and begin to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.
Shape, space and measure
Shape, space and measure connects to the way children explore shapes, how to use spaces, for example how puzzles work, and different types of measure, e.g. time. This aspect begins at ages 8-20 months. One of the earliest milestones is get to know and enjoy daily routines, such as getting-up time, mealtimes, nappy time, and bedtime. As your child grows, the milestones get more complex. A milestone for a three year old would be to begin to talk about the shapes of everyday objects, e.g. ‘round’ and ‘tall’.
Home learning resources
Numbers
22-36 months
Play games which relate to number order, addition and subtraction, such as hopscotch and skittles and target games. Whilst playing with your child talk about the numbers involved and count with them. As an extra challenge you can include and encourage your child to use number terminology such as "half" and "all".
30-50 months
Treasure hunt! Choose an interest of your child's, e.g. babies or cars and use these as treasure. Hide these around the house. As they find them, keep track of the number of pieces they have found using a tally chart, encourage them to draw the lines themselves. After finding all their treasure set them a final challenge to win the prize. For their final challenge, they will need to organise the treasure. Cater the challenge to the items in the treasure hunt, for example if it was vehicles, organise them in trucks, buses, trains etc. Whilst doing this, talk about the amounts in each group and challenge them to add together, e.g. "There is 5 in the group and 3 in this one, how many if we put them together?".
Shape, space and measure
22-36 months
Use descriptive words like ‘big’ and ‘little’ in everyday play situations and through books and stories. This will support your child to understand simple measurements. You can also challenge your child by playing sorting games using objects of different size, e.g. organise them from smallest to biggest.
30-50 months
What's the time? An easy way to introduce your child to the concept of time is to constantly reference it throughout the day. As you go through your daily routine, reference back to the time with a name. "It's 12 O'clock, it's the afternoon now!", " 3 O'clock, its snack time!" "8 O'clock, it's bed time!". After doing this regularly, begin to encourage your child to join in by asking them "What time is it now?". You can extend this by introducing them to a clock. Start of with O'clock and point to it when it is 3pm, 4pm etc. The more you do this, the more understanding they will gain!
Website Links
Use the photo-links below to for extra ideas on how to further support your child with this area at home!
