Maths in Early Years

There are six key areas of early mathematics learning, which collectively provide a platform for everything children will encounter as they progress through their maths learning at Hanborough Manor, and beyond.

1. PATTERN: Looking for and finding patterns helps children notice and understand mathematical relationships

2. CARDINALITY AND COUNTING: Understanding that the cardinal value of a number refers to the quantity, or ‘how many’ of things it represents

3. COMPARISON: Understanding that comparing numbers involves knowing which numbers are worth more or less than each other

4. COMPOSITION: Understanding that one number can be made up from (composed from) two or more smaller numbers

5. MEASURES: Comparing different aspects such as length, weight and volume, as a preliminary to using units to compare later

6. SHAPE AND SPACE: Understanding what happens when shapes move, or combine with other shapes, helps develop wider mathematical thinking

Numberblocks

These areas form the fundamental mathematical basis of a CBeebies series of five-minute animated programmes called Numberblocks. The NCETM has provided support materials linked to the Numberblocks programmes. These are designed to help Early Years practitioners draw out and build on the maths embedded in the stories contained in each episode.