Mathematics and Numeracy

Fostering confident, creative learners through mathematical thinking and play

Why Mathematics Matters in the Early Years

Mathematics is everywhere in a young child’s world hidden in block towers, snack times, dance steps, and nature walks. In early childhood, mathematics and numeracy are not abstract or formal; they are meaningful, hands-on experiences that help children understand patterns, quantities, measurement, space, and time. These early encounters with maths foster logical reasoning, problem-solving, and creative exploration, building strong foundations for lifelong learning (AGDE, 2022).

Numeracy also supports language development, visual literacy, and social skills. When children count objects, sort items by size or colour, or build symmetrical structures, they are engaging in multimodal mathematical communication (Onoshakpokaiye, 2023).

Theoretical Perspectives Supporting Early Mathematical Thinking

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development explains that children actively build mathematical understanding through exploration and manipulation of concrete materials, especially during the preoperational and early operational stages.

Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory highlights the importance of guided discovery and scaffolding. When adults ask questions and co-investigate, children develop more complex mathematical thinking (Smolucha & Smolucha, 2021).

Clements and Sarama’s Learning Trajectories approach outlines how children develop mathematical ideas in stages and how intentional teaching can support deeper engagement with numeracy (Clements & Sarama, 2014).

These frameworks affirm that maths in early years is best learned through play, inquiry, and social interaction.

Resources, Materials, and Technologies

Educators can create rich numeracy environments using a wide variety of tools and materials:

Concrete manipulatives: pattern blocks, counting bears, linking cubes, dice

Natural materials: leaves, stones, shells, sticks for sorting and grouping

Everyday objects: buttons, bottle caps, pegs, measuring cups, containers

Movement-based tools: beanbags, hoops, musical instruments

Books and stories: One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab, Anno’s Counting Book

Digital resources: Montessori Numbers, Numberblocks, learning trajectory apps

Integration with other domains: numeracy in dance, drama, visual art, and music (Numeracy in Dance; Numeracy in Music; Numeracy in Visual Arts)

These tools help children make connections between mathematical concepts and real-world problem-solving.

Creative Numeracy Experiences by Age Group

Each activity below encourages developmentally appropriate engagement with numeracy concepts such as number, pattern, shape, measurement, and logic—framed within playful, creative learning.

Infants (0–2 Years)

Rolling and Counting Balls

Babies roll balls down ramps or across the floor while educators count out loud, building one-to-one correspondence and early number recognition (Mathematical Thinking Early Childhood Learning Trajectory, 2023).

Stacking and Sorting with Cups

Infants explore size, order, and classification by stacking cups or sorting containers by colour and shape.

Toddlers (2–3 Years)

Musical Maths

Toddlers clap or step to musical beats, matching patterns and rhythm while reinforcing early sequencing (Numeracy in Music).

Matching Shapes in Everyday Items

Children match household or classroom items to shape outlines (e.g., circles for cups), supporting spatial awareness and visual discrimination.

Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

Dramatic Play Grocery Shop

Using pretend money and labelled items, children count, measure, and exchange items while role-playing, fostering applied numeracy and communication (Numeracy in Drama).

Nature Pattern Hunt

Children collect leaves, pebbles, or sticks and use them to create repeating patterns. Educators introduce vocabulary like "next," "same," "more," and "less."

School-Age (6–8 Years)

Measure My Shadow

Children measure and record the lengths of their shadows at different times of day, exploring time, change, and spatial measurement (Clements & Sarama, 2014).

Build a Math Storybook

Children write and illustrate their own number stories (e.g., "Five frogs on a log"), combining narrative, visual arts, and mathematical thinking.

Mathematics & Numeracy – Musical Maths (2–3 Years)

Critical Reflection for Mathematics & Numeracy – Musical Maths (2–3 years)

What went well:

The “Musical Maths” activity engaged toddlers through rhythm, movement, and counting, which kept their attention and made early numeracy learning fun. The combination of tapping, banging, and using different finger movements supported fine motor development while reinforcing number recognition from one to five. The music element encouraged participation from all children, even those who were shy, and created a positive group atmosphere.

What could be improved:

Some children became overly focused on the actions and lost track of the counting sequence, which slightly reduced the mathematical focus. In addition, without clear visual prompts, a few toddlers struggled to keep pace with the group.

What I’d change next time:

I would also use a number card and large colorful props next time to give them a visual connection to each count. I would also slacken it a bit and interject between counts to allow toddlers to digest the order. This would boost both the numeracy and the coordination results of the exercise.

Digital Evidence – Musical Maths (2–3 Years)

In the provided video example, one can observe a performance of a Musical Maths activity with 2-3-year-old toddlers. The counting of number one to five with the use of the fingers through tapping, banging, and creating patterns involves drumming with fingers with a sense of rhythm and movement. This play method also incorporates early numeracy, taking into account musical beats, contributing to the number recognition, sequencing, and hand-eye coordination.

matematicsAgeGroup(2-3).mp4

Everyday play experiences, like shopping or cooking, provide authentic opportunities to develop number sense and measurement skills.

Music and movement support mathematical sequencing, patterning, and body-space awareness.

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