Early Years Maths
Teaching mathematics in the early years is about laying a strong foundation for future learning. Encouraging curiosity, exploration, and a positive attitude towards numbers helps children build confidence and a love for mathematics from an early age.
Math is an essential part of our daily lives. In the early years, children explore mathematical concepts through play and hands-on activities. Children use mathematical language when comparing quantities, talking about routines and constructing with 3D shapes. They notice patterns and measure weight, height and length. Spatial awareness helps children understand and navigate the world around them. It supports the development of problem-solving skills and logical thinking, which are foundational for later mathematical learning. These are all important concepts that help develop confident and curious mathematicians. We support children’s mathematical development through explicit teaching and incidental observations.
In addition, a deep understanding of numbers is essential for children to progress with fluency and confidence. This is called number sense.
Number sense is made up of:
Composition of Number
Subitising
Complexities of Counting
Number sense is when children understand what numbers mean,improving their performance of mental mathematics, and giving them the tools to look at maths in the outside world and make comparisons.
Children develop number sense gradually over time through exploring numbers, visualising them in a variety of contexts, and relating them in ways that are not limited by formal written methods. It helps children understand both how our number system works, and how numbers relate to each other.
Children who develop number sense have a range of mathematical strategies at their disposal. They know when to use them and howto adapt them to meet different situations. Children with good number sense enjoy playing with and exploring numbers and number relationships. As a result of these strategies, they can often find the most efficient solution to the problem.
We support children in developing number sense through engaging and practical activities. By incorporating hands-on experiences such as subitising objects, sorting items, counting and playing number games, we help children build representations and internalize numerical concepts. These activities make learning fun and meaningful, allowing children to see the relevance of number in their everyday lives. Through consistent practice and exploration, children build a strong foundation in number sense, setting them up for future success in mathematics.
