A quick search online will produce endless ideas for suitable early years maths activities for children. You can adapt them according to the age of the children involved, with younger children there may be safety considerations (e.g., choking hazards) and with older children, there may be opportunities to extend their learning (e.g., by getting them to record their results).
Remember to keep the activities age-appropriate and prioritise safety.
Provide ample opportunities for children to ask questions, make predictions, and explore through hands-on experiences. Maths should be a playful and exciting journey of discovery for all children and opportunities should be throughout your provision not just limited to one area.
Below is a list of websites and resources that you may find useful when looking for ideas to enhance the opportunities for maths across your provision.
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) activities
The University of Cambridge NRICH Project has designed a set of EYFS activities, in partnership with Early years practitioner partners, to support you in developing the initial building blocks for mathematical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving with your children.
Maths activities and games for the EYFS
Maths in the early years is a crucial stepping stone for developing children, which is why it is so important that the little ones can explore and experience it in an enjoyable way. Famly has carefully chosen ten fun maths activities and games to promote early learning of numbers through play.
Integrating STEM in your curriculum
When providing STEM learning opportunities, how can early years settings harness both children’s innate curiosity and their everyday resources? Asks Meredith Jones Russell in this special Nursery World report.
Ten things you need to know about STEM
Have you ever thought about introducing STEM into your early years practice, but are not sure how to? Or maybe you have not even considered it?
There has never been a better time to consider developing STEM in your early years setting. Whether you are in your thinking or planning, here are ten things you need to know about STEM in early years.
STEM learning from PACEY
STEM learning is the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and maths and is part of our everyday lives. So, why has STEM learning not been as significantly regarded as other subjects such as English?
PACEY talks about the importance of STEM learning with Maria Serveta, Audience Researcher at the Science Museum, and Dr Sally Moomaw, an author and Professor of Early Childhood Education with a speciality in mathematics and science.
Playful mathematics
Children are naturally mathematical in their play. They play with mathematics.
Early years practitioners often struggle to make mathematics relevant and engaging for their young learners. In their play, children are naturally mathematical, yet practitioners are often unsure about how to build on this, or how this observed play fits in with the mathematics they teach.
Helen J. Williams' Nursery World award-winning book, 'Playful Mathematics for Children 3 to 7', empowers early years teachers to see the learning in this play and to remain committed to play-based practice. The book outlines recent research on how children best learn mathematics, and supports early years practitioners to know why preparation works better than planning and why thinking space matters more than you think.
