The word ‘maths’ can sometimes provoke a knee-jerk reaction – often connected to our own experiences of maths in school. Yet, maths surrounds us in conversations or through what we see! As Early Years educators, making mathematical meaning is key, as we facilitate conceptual understandings with young children through their explorations of the world around them.
Making connections, facilitating inquiry and keeping it playful can feel a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be! Look for small, tangible moments to engage and provoke, whether it is comparing the size of shoes, building with blocks, or counting how many spoonfuls of yogurt – the opportunities are boundless!
The goal is not to push children to master complex math concepts before they are developmentally ready, but rather to provide rich, engaging experiences that spark their curiosity and help them develop a love of learning. By keeping it playful and fun, you can create a positive association with math that will serve children well throughout their lives.
This toolkit has been put together to enhance the already existing opportunities, as well as enable you to make connections with what young children are finding out through maths play.
Use this resource to:
- Connect to the big ideas for Early Years maths
- Discover how maths is already happening in your setting
- Use books as a provocation for maths talk with children
- Find links to further your own learning around Early Years maths
