Picture Activity Hands-On Activities Early Learning Goals Downloads
Activity One - Counting

Activity 1

Counting

  • Rhymes
  • One To One Correspondence
  • What To Count?
  • Find & Count
  • Comparing Numbers
Activity Two - Number Recognition

Activity 2

Number Recognition

  • Number Cards
  • One To One Correspondence
  • Number Match
  • Writing Numbers
Activity Three - Number Lines

Activity 3

Number Lines

  • Create A Number Line
  • Number Order
  • Forwards / Backwards
Activity Four - Dice Games

Activity 4

Dice Games

  • Make Your Own
  • Tally
  • Collecting Coins
  • Roll And Colour
  • Addition
  • Activity Sheets
  • Dice Template
  • Roll & Colour
Activity Five -  Playdough Maths

Activity 5

Playdough Maths

  • Shapes
  • Splat The Dough
  • Number Correspondence
  • Imprints
Activity Six - Shapes And Patterns

Activity 6

Shapes And Patterns

  • Shapes
  • Patterns
  • Symmetry Patterns
Activity Seven - Comparing Measurements

Activity 7

Comparing Measurements

  • Let's Measure
  • Ordering Size
  • Comparing Towers

Mathematics Activities

Counting

Activity 1

Counting

Hands-On Activities:
  • Rhymes
  • One To One Correspondence
  • What To Count?
  • Find & Count
  • Comparing Numbers
Number Recognition

Activity 2

Number Recognition

Hands-On Activities:
  • Number Cards
  • One To One Correspondence
  • Number Match
  • Writing Numbers
Number Lines

Activity 3

Number Lines

Hands-On Activities:
  • Create A Number Line
  • Number Order
  • Forwards / Backwards
Dice Games

Activity 4

Dice Games

Hands-On Activities:
  • Make Your Own
  • Tally
  • Collecting Coins
  • Roll And Colour
  • Addition
  • Activity Sheets
  • Dice Template
  • Roll & Colour
 Playdough Maths

Activity 5

Playdough Maths

Hands-On Activities:
  • Shapes
  • Splat The Dough
  • Number Correspondence
  • Imprints
Shapes And Patterns

Activity 6

Shapes And Patterns

Hands-On Activities:
  • Shapes
  • Patterns
  • Symmetry Patterns
Comparing Measurements

Activity 7

Comparing Measurements

Hands-On Activities:
  • Let's Measure
  • Ordering Size
  • Comparing Towers

Our Reception ages related blogs!

Teaching inspiration exclusively at Hands-On Education

Maths Topic

How do I use these free reception maths activities from Hands-On Education?

To use the free reception maths activities from Hands-On Education, start by selecting one of the seven topics offered, such as Counting, Number Recognition, or Shapes and Patterns. Each topic includes detailed activity suggestions tailored to early learning goals, such as developing number sense, understanding measurements, or exploring shapes. Download the associated activity plans and resources if available, and follow the step-by-step instructions. These activities often include interactive elements like rhymes, playdough modelling, or dice games to make learning engaging and hands-on. Incorporate these activities into your teaching or home-learning routine to help children grasp mathematical concepts in a fun and pressure-free environment.

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What resources and tools can be utilized to develop children's early counting and number skills?

Maths Topic

To develop children's early counting and number skills, a variety of hands-on resources and tools can be utilized to make learning engaging and effective. Activities like block play help children understand the conservation of numbers, which is essential for mathematical calculations. Similarly, outdoor games involving targets or scoring points provide opportunities for practising counting, reading, and writing numbers in an interactive environment. These activities foster foundational skills through play and exploration.

Specific tools such as board games, dice, number tracks, dominoes, and Numicon are widely used to enhance early numeracy skills. These resources allow children to visualize numbers, practice one-to-one correspondence, and develop an understanding of numerical relationships in a fun and pressure-free manner. Additionally, activities like junk modelling and block play introduce children to shapes and their properties, further enriching their mathematical understanding.

Play-based activities also integrate mathematical concepts like measurement and capacity. For example, children can compare objects' sizes or measure using non-standard units like cubes or craft sticks. These interactive experiences not only build early counting skills but also encourage problem-solving and reasoning, laying a strong foundation for future mathematical learning.

How are concepts like capacity, shapes, and number conservation introduced through play activities?

Maths Topic

Concepts like capacity are introduced through play activities that involve comparing and contrasting objects based on weight, length, and volume. For example, children can measure liquids using different containers or compare the weight of objects using non-standard units like blocks or sticks. These hands-on activities help children understand measurement in a tangible and engaging way.

Shapes and their properties are explored through creative activities such as making 2D shapes with sticks, cutting shapes from coloured paper, or identifying shapes in everyday objects. Children also learn about symmetry by creating mirrored designs through painting activities. These interactive tasks encourage recognition and understanding of both basic and complex shapes.

Number conservation is introduced through activities like block play, where children rearrange objects while observing that the total quantity remains unchanged. This concept is reinforced through counting games and grouping exercises, helping children grasp fundamental numerical principles in a playful and pressure-free environment.

What are some examples of number conservation activities for reception aged pupils?

Maths Topic

Number conservation activities are designed to help reception-aged pupils understand that the quantity of objects remains the same even when their arrangement changes. These activities are engaging, hands-on, and encourage exploration of this foundational mathematical concept.

  • Rearranging Objects: Place a set of objects (e.g., counters or toys) in a line and have children count them. Rearrange the objects into different shapes or patterns and ask if the total has changed. Repeat to reinforce the concept.
  • Toothpick Designs: Provide children with a fixed number of toothpicks or straws and encourage them to create different designs while maintaining the same total number. Discuss their creations to emphasize that the quantity remains constant.
  • Container Transfers: Ask children to count items (e.g., beads or blocks) as they transfer them between containers. Rearrange or mix the items and confirm that the total number is unchanged.
  • Counting Games: Use activities such as arranging blocks into towers or grouping objects into sets. After rearranging, ask children how many items are present to reinforce their understanding of conservation.
  • Matching Cards: Provide cards with different arrangements of dots representing the same number. Children match cards with equal quantities, discussing how they know the numbers are the same.

These activities not only build number conservation skills but also enhance counting accuracy, problem-solving abilities, and early mathematical reasoning in a playful and engaging manner.

What are some creative ways to teach shape recognition through play?

Maths Topic

Teaching shape recognition through play can be both fun and educational, using a variety of creative activities that engage children in hands-on learning. One effective method is a Shape Hunt, where children search for shapes in their environment, such as spotting circular plates or rectangular books, helping them connect shapes to real-world objects. Another engaging activity is the Shape Sorting Game, where children group objects like buttons or blocks based on their shapes, reinforcing their ability to identify and categorize shapes.

Art-based activities also work well for shape recognition. For example, Playdough Shape Creations encourage children to mold playdough into different shapes like triangles or squares, combining creativity with tactile learning. Similarly, a Shape Collage Art activity allows children to cut out and assemble shapes from coloured paper or magazines into creative designs, fostering both artistic expression and shape awareness. Additionally, Shape Stamping, using sponges dipped in paint, provides a colourful way to explore and recognize various shapes.

For more active learning, try a Shape Obstacle Course, where children jump or crawl through outlines of shapes taped on the floor, combining physical activity with shape identification. Outdoor activities like the Shape Nature Walk, where children find shapes in leaves or rocks, or a Shape Maze, created with chalk on the pavement, add an adventurous element to shape recognition. These playful approaches make learning about shapes interactive and enjoyable for young learners.

How do the Early Learning Goals define the level of development children are expected to attain by the end of reception?

Maths Topic

The Early Learning Goals (ELGs) define the developmental milestones children are expected to achieve by the end of the reception year within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. These goals cover seven areas of learning, grouped into three prime areas—Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social, and Emotional Development—and four specific areas, including Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. Each goal provides a benchmark for assessing a child's progress and readiness for Year 1, focusing on holistic development across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains.

In Mathematics, for example, children are expected to count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, perform basic addition and subtraction using objects or numbers, and solve problems involving doubling, halving, or sharing. They should also use everyday language to describe size, weight, capacity, and other measures while recognizing patterns and understanding spatial relationships. Similarly, in Literacy, children demonstrate their ability to read simple sentences and write words that match their spoken sounds. These benchmarks ensure children are equipped with foundational skills for future academic success.

Assessment against the ELGs is based on teachers' professional judgment supported by observations of children's activities and contributions from parents or carers. Children are categorized as either meeting the expected level ('expected') or working below it ('emerging'). The ELGs emphasize inclusive practices by considering diverse needs, including those of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or those whose first language is not English. This approach ensures that all children receive the support they need to transition smoothly into Year 1 and continue their learning journey effectively.

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