ways of using the maths words we use every day like full, big, count, take away, high, and so on

giving them simple problems to "solve" as they play

Young children learn maths like everything else when they are:

talking and listening

doing practical, everyday things around the home

watching adults using maths in everyday ways

"make sure the sheet is flat"

"Tuck the sheet under"

"Put the duvet over"

match and compare clothes. You can find pairs of socks. "this yellow one and this yellow one go together. They are a pair. This sock is smaller than yours. This must be an adult's sock because it's bigger than this one"

show your child how to measure the washing powder. "is that enough…too much?"

talk about how hot the water should be and show them the numbers on the dial.

talk about when you should go back to empty the machine, "Do you think we've got time to go to the shops before it finishes? Let's come back in an hour… a short while."

All these activities will help your child to understand that:

maths is important for everything we do

we can sort things into sets

measuring is about comparing

there are words for size, shape, quantity and position

Children often use stories that you both know as part of their play. Traditional stories or rhymes and favourite television programmes are a good place to start. Use them to act out maths play.

Lots of maths language will be used as part of your child's play.

Act out the story of 'The Three Bears' and set a table for the bears. Check how many bowls the bears need. Do they all need the same size bowl?

After children have watched programmes like Teletubbies they often act out the story or games. When they sing and dance with the Teletubbies you can ask them how far Po can jump? You could use a shoe to measure the jump and count with your child how many shoes Po jumped. See how long Po can dance for. You can watch the clock and tell them when a minute is up.

What kind of places or situations would your child like to pretend to be in? Which maths words and skills will they be able to use in those situations?

When you have time to join in you can show your child new maths words and skills.

You could use scales to weigh the baby. Your child can see you reading the weight and writing it down. Young children want to copy you and make some marks which will be their idea of numerals.

You can use a tape measure to see how long the baby is. Your child could copy you using a piece of string or ribbon to measure. They can compare the sizes of different dolls. You can talk about how the baby has grown "she's bigger than before".

The doctor will decide when he wants to see the baby again. "Come back in 2 days - after 2 big sleeps".

Playing "Baby Clinics" will help your child to:

put objects in order of their turn

begin to know that we can measure weight, length, time, amount, sizes, etc

count "babies", patients, etc

compare the length or weight of two things

understand that numbers are used in many ways

begin to know about writing down numbers in practical activities.

The toys may need a straw in every glass

There might be toast triangles or samosas on the menu

The customers can choose a square or round cake or biscuit.

You could be the waiter writing a price list or a bill

The drinks and toast will need a price (1p, 2p, 5p, etc) - using one pence coins to pay

There may be different size cups and plastic bottles. How many drinks will the waiter get out of one bottle? Guess and try. Fill the cups. Are they full, empty, or half full?

Two of the teddies may want a square cake and there is only one. Ask your child if they can figure out how to solve the problem. One solution is to share it! Cut it in half.

Playing "cafes" will help your child to begin to:
 
 

match one thing with one other thing e.g. the glasses and straws 

use some language about size, shape and amounts, and how much things hold

be able to make good guesses about amounts and then check them

find ways of solving problems in practical ways

count up objects

understand that one thing can be shared

recognise that coins are used to pay and give change

count out 1p coins when they are paying

realise that numbers are written differently to letters

Getting ready for a party

There are plenty of chances for counting, checking numbers, adding and taking away. " You have 4 friends coming to the party. If Jo can't come I can take one hat away. How many do we have then?

Your child can set the table: "Give one plate to every toy".

You can show your child how to make groups of things like cakes, biscuits and crisps: "I'm putting five cakes on this plate. Can you put the same number on that plate?" "Let's add one more cake to this plate. How many are there now?

Playing "Parties" will help your child:
 
 

begin to recognise and copy patterns

have a reason for counting

sort objects into groups

begin to add one or two more to a group

What will maths play prepare my child for?

Maths play will help your child to:

compare, sort, match, order, sequence and count everyday objects

understand and record numbers through practical activities

recognise and copy patterns

recognise and use numbers to ten (or more) and recognise some bigger numbers in everyday life

understand that taking away and adding objects to a group makes the group smaller or bigger

solve practical problems