Maths

Summer Term 1:

This half term we are looking at capacity, pattern, and counting and representing numbers.

We are continuing to look at different ways of making numbers. This term we will be focusing on the number 5. How many different ways can you make or show the number 5? You could use beads, toys, a dice, coins, magnetic numbers, whatever you can find at home.

How many 1s do you need to make the number 5?

How else can you make the number 5 (a 3 and a 2)?

Can you find the number 5 anywhere when you are out?

Use cups jugs and containers to talk about capacity.

Can you fill your container and show 'half full' or 'full'?

How can you show empty?

You could even make some potions!

Can you make a pattern using two colours or two shapes?


Ask your adult to make a pattern - oops they have made a mistake!

Can you correct their pattern?

As you travel to school, the shop or the park, talk about your route. For example, over the bridge, under the tree, across the park.

Can you make your own balance scales?

Find different objects to weigh at home. Which item is heavier? Which item is lighter? How do you know?

Spring Term 2:

This half term we are looking at length, pattern and counting and representing numbers.

We are continuing to look at different ways of making numbers. This term we will be focusing on the number 4. How many different ways can you make or show the number 4? You could use beads, toys, a dice, coins, magnetic numbers, whatever you can find at home.

How many 1s do you need to make the number 4?

How else can you make the number 4 (a 2 and a 2)?

Can you find the number 4 anywhere when you are out?

Can you measure how long your shoe is? How many bricks long is your shoe?

Can you measure how long your grown ups shoe is? How many bricks long is their shoe?

Who has the longest shoe?

Who has the shortest shoe?

You can use some play dough to make some worms. 

Can you put the worms in order of length starting with the longest?

Which worm is the longest/shortest?

Can you find something longer/shorter than this worm?

Look around your house or in your recycling box and see what shaped packaging you can find.

 Can you find something that is a cylinder?

Can you find something that is a cuboid?

Can you find something that is a sphere?

What other shapes did you find?

What else can you tell your grown up about these shapes? Are the faces (surfaces) curved or flat?

Use some of your toys to make a repeating pattern. Ask your grown up to make a pattern - oops they made a mistake! 

Can you correct their pattern?

Spring Term 1:

This half term we are looking at pattern, position and counting and representing numbers.

We are continuing to look at different ways of making numbers. This term we will be focusing on the number 3. How many different ways can you make or show the number 3? You could use beads, toys, a dice, coins, magnetic numbers, whatever you can find at home.

How many 1s do you need to make the number 3?

How else can you make the number 3 (a 2 and a 1)?

Can you find the number 3 anywhere when you are out?

Build and complete an obstacle course together. Talk to your child about where they are as they travel. Encourage them to use the following language:

Make patterns using different objects you find at home or outside.

You could paint or dye some pasta and use it to make pattern necklaces or snakes.

Encourage your child to tell you about their pattern.

Autumn Term 2:

This half term we are looking at Shape and counting and starting to represent numbers.

Use some lolly sticks or straws to make shapes, you can blue tack them together or just lay them out. Talk to the children about the shapes. What are they called. Can you find any other triangles/squares in the house?


Play hide and seek together or using toys. Talk to your child about where they/their toy is hiding. Encourage them to use the following language:

Go on a hunt at home or in the garden - Can you find different items and sort them by size? 

Can you find something bigger than your toothbrush?

Can you find something smaller than your shoe?

We are continuing to look at different ways of making numbers. How many different ways can you make the numbers 1 and 2? You could use beads, toys, a dice, coins, magnetic numbers, whatever you can find at home.

How many 1s do you need to make the number 2?

Can you find the numbers 1 and 2 anywhere when you are out?

Autumn Term 1:

This half term we are looking at counting and matching numeral to quantity. You might like to try the activities below at home.

Sing counting songs using props or objects to help. Here are some below:

Print shapes in playdough. Talk to your child about the shapes that they have printed. Do they know their names? Can they count the corners?

Triangle by Mac Barnett and  Jon Klassen. This a lovely story which reinforces shape recognition.


How many different ways can you show the numbers 1 and 2? 

e.g. two on a dice, two conkers, two socks, two shells, the digit - 2.