Top nursery maths activities

Young children are natural explorers. They investigate, question, and discover the world around them through play. This makes the nursery years the perfect time to introduce mathematical concepts. Nursery maths activities create a foundation for lifelong learning, giving children confidence with numbers, shapes, and patterns before they enter formal education.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we understand that early mathematical learning happens best through play and hands-on experiences. Our approach follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which guides practitioners to build strong number foundations through activities children genuinely enjoy.

Why Early Maths Matters in Nursery Settings

Research from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics shows that mathematical knowledge in the early years predicts later academic success. Children who develop strong number sense before age five are better prepared for primary school and beyond.

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework states that children should develop a deep understanding of numbers to 10, the relationships between them, and the patterns within those numbers. By providing frequent and varied opportunities to explore maths concepts, nursery settings like Little Mowgli Nursery help children build the knowledge and vocabulary they need.

Children as young as three months can understand differences in numerical quantity, according to research. This shows us that introducing mathematical concepts early makes sense. Children who receive quality early maths experiences develop better problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and logical thinking.

Early maths learning also helps close achievement gaps. Studies show that children from different backgrounds may have varying access to rich mathematical experiences before school. Quality nursery provision can address this by offering all children engaging opportunities to develop number skills.

What Nursery Maths Activities Should Include

The EYFS framework divides mathematics into two strands: Number and Numerical Patterns. Both areas work together to build mathematical understanding.

Number Activities help children:

• Count confidently
• Recognise quantities without counting (subitising)
• Understand number composition
• Recall number bonds up to 5

Numerical Pattern Activities support children to:

• Count beyond 20
• Compare quantities
• Recognise even and odd numbers
• Understand how quantities can be distributed equally

The best nursery activities combine these learning goals with play, exploration, and child-led discovery.

Counting and Number Recognition Activities

Counting forms the foundation of early mathematics. Here are some engaging ways to develop counting skills in nursery settings.

Counting Collections Let children choose their own collections to count. They might gather conkers from the outdoor area, count toy cars, or sort coloured blocks. When children select what they count, they stay engaged longer and develop ownership of their learning.

Number Rhymes and Songs Traditional rhymes like "Five Little Ducks" or "Ten Green Bottles" teach counting backwards and forwards. The repetition helps children memorise number sequences. Singing also makes learning fun and brings groups together.

Dice Games Rolling a dice and moving that many steps teaches one-to-one correspondence. Children learn to match the number on the dice to the quantity of moves they make. This simple activity builds foundational counting skills.

Number Hunts Hide numbered cards around your setting and ask children to find them in order. This gets children moving whilst developing number recognition. You can also stick numbers on outdoor equipment for children to spot during active play.

Hands-On Maths Activities with Everyday Objects

Young children learn best through touching, manipulating, and exploring real objects. These sensory experiences help mathematical concepts stick.

Sorting and Matching Games Provide collections of objects that children can sort by colour, size, or shape. Sorting buttons, shells, or toy animals develops classification skills and helps children spot similarities and differences.

Building with Blocks Construction play naturally involves mathematical thinking. Children estimate how many blocks they need, measure heights, and create patterns. Ask questions like "How many blocks tall is your tower?" or "Can you make it wider?"

Water and Sand Play Fill containers with water or sand to explore concepts like full, empty, more, and less. Give children different sized containers and measuring jugs. They'll discover through experimentation which containers hold more and how to estimate quantities.

Nature-Based Counting Collect natural materials like pinecones, leaves, or pebbles during outdoor time. Use these for counting, sorting, and pattern-making activities. Natural objects engage children and connect maths learning to the environment.

Shape and Spatial Reasoning Activities

Understanding shapes, spaces, and how things fit together builds spatial reasoning skills. These skills support later mathematical learning and problem-solving.

Shape Hunts Ask children to find shapes in the environment. Windows might be rectangles, wheels are circles, and roofs form triangles. This helps children see geometry in everyday life.

Building 2D Shapes Outdoors Use sticks, rope, or chalk to create shapes on the ground. Children can walk around the edges, stand at the corners, or count the sides. Making shapes large-scale helps children understand their properties through movement.

Puzzles and Construction Toys Jigsaws develop problem-solving and spatial reasoning. As children figure out where pieces fit, they're thinking about shapes, rotation, and spatial relationships.

Pattern Making: Create patterns with blocks, beads, or natural materials. Start with simple AB patterns (red, blue, red, blue) and let children continue them. Spotting and creating patterns helps children notice mathematical relationships.

Mathematical Language and Everyday Opportunities

The language adults use around children matters enormously. When practitioners at Little Mowgli Nursery talk about mathematical concepts during daily routines, children hear and absorb this vocabulary naturally.

Research shows that the frequency of math words children hear predicts their later understanding of number concepts. The more mathematical language children encounter, the stronger their number sense becomes.

Snack Time Maths During snack, count how many children are sitting at the table. Ask children to hand out the right number of cups or pieces of fruit. This develops one-to-one correspondence in a meaningful context.

Getting Dressed Talk about pairs when putting on shoes or gloves. Use ordinal numbers: "Let's put your first arm in... now your second arm." This introduces mathematical vocabulary naturally.

Tidying Up Count toys as they go back in boxes. Compare quantities: "Do we have more cars or more trains?" Ask children to check all the items are there by counting.

Lining Up When children line up, talk about who is first, second, and last. Count how many children are in the line. These everyday moments offer regular maths practice.

Books and Stories for Early Maths Learning

Picture books make mathematical concepts accessible and enjoyable. Stories with number themes help children see maths as part of life.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle introduces counting and days of the week. Children count the food the caterpillar eats each day.

The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins explores sharing and division. As more children arrive, the cookies must be shared between more people.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes celebrates counting body parts through rhyme and repetition.

When reading mathematical stories, pause to let children count, predict, or solve problems. Ask open-ended questions: "How many do you think there will be now?" or "What might happen next?"

Games That Develop Number Sense

Play-based games build mathematical thinking whilst keeping children engaged and motivated.

Fishing for Numbers Make paper fish with numbers written on them and attach paperclips. Create a fishing rod from a stick, string, and magnet. Children fish for numbers and identify what they've caught.

Number Swat Write numbers on sticky notes and place them on a table or wall. Call out a number and children race to swat it with a fly swatter. This high-energy game develops number recognition.

Dominoes Dominoes teach children to match quantities and eventually add simple numbers together. Start by matching the dots, then progress to counting the total on each domino.

Board Games Simple board games where children roll dice and move counters develop counting, turn-taking, and number recognition. Games make maths social and fun.

Technology and Maths Learning

Educational technology can support mathematical learning when used thoughtfully. Apps and interactive tools provide varied practice and adapt to children's learning levels.

Research from the Education Endowment Foundation suggests that technology can support children who are at greater risk of not meeting expected development levels. The key is making sure all children can access the learning, regardless of their prior experience with devices.

When choosing technology for maths learning, look for apps that:

• Provide hands-on interaction
• Offer immediate feedback
• Adapt to children's abilities
• Link to concrete experiences
• Limit sensory overload

Technology works best as one tool among many, not as a replacement for hands-on exploration with real objects.

Creating a Maths-Rich Environment

Your nursery environment communicates what you value. A space filled with mathematical opportunities encourages children to explore number concepts independently.

Display number lines and number tracks at child height. Label storage boxes with numbers showing how many items belong inside. Add measuring tapes, rulers, and scales to investigation areas.

Provide open-ended resources that children can count, sort, and pattern. Loose parts like shells, buttons, and fabric scraps invite mathematical exploration. Rotate these resources regularly to maintain interest.

Create a maths display showing children's mathematical mark-making and problem-solving. This celebrates their efforts and shows that maths thinking is valued.

Supporting Different Learning Needs

Every child develops at their own pace. Some children grasp number concepts quickly whilst others need more time and practice. Quality nursery provision meets children where they are and helps them progress.

For children who find maths challenging:

• Break activities into smaller steps
• Provide more hands-on practice
• Use visual supports and concrete objects
• Celebrate small progress
• Keep sessions short and playful

For children who show advanced mathematical thinking:

• Offer problems with multiple solutions
• Introduce larger numbers
• Encourage them to explain their thinking
• Provide open-ended challenges

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we observe each child carefully and plan activities that match their current development whilst gently extending their skills.

The Role of Observation and Assessment

Watching children during play reveals what they understand about maths. Notice when a child spontaneously counts, sorts objects, or creates patterns. These observations show you what concepts they're exploring and where to focus next.

The EYFS framework encourages practitioners to monitor whether their approach is working. If children aren't making progress, try different activities or adjust your methods. Mathematical learning should feel joyful and achievable, not frustrating.

Regular observations help you spot misconceptions early. If a child always counts one object twice or doesn't understand one-to-one correspondence, you can plan specific activities to address this.

Building Partnerships with Families

Parents and carers are children's first educators. When families understand how to support maths at home, children make better progress.

Share simple ideas families can try:

• Count steps when walking
• Sort laundry by colour or type
• Notice numbers on doors and buses
• Bake together and measure ingredients
• Play board games and card games

Help families see that maths isn't just worksheets. It's conversations, play, and everyday experiences. When children encounter mathematical language and concepts at home and at nursery, their understanding deepens.

Building Confident Young Mathematicians

Nursery maths activities lay the groundwork for lifelong mathematical thinking. When children explore numbers, shapes, and patterns through play, they develop confidence and curiosity. They learn that maths is about solving problems, spotting patterns, and making sense of the world.

Quality nursery provision, like that offered at Little Mowgli Nursery, creates daily opportunities for mathematical discovery. Through songs, games, stories, and everyday routines, children build the number sense they need for future success. The foundation we build during these early years supports children's learning journey for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should children start learning math concepts?

Children can begin developing mathematical understanding from birth. Babies recognise differences in quantity from around three months old. During the toddler and nursery years (ages 2-4), children learn through play and hands-on experiences. There's no need to wait for formal school to introduce counting, shapes, and patterns.

How long should nursery math activities last?

Keep activities short and playful for young children. Ten to fifteen minutes of focused activity is often enough. The best mathematical learning happens throughout the day during routines, play, and child-led exploration rather than in lengthy structured sessions.

What if my child isn't interested in numbers?

Not all children show interest in maths at the same time. Connect mathematical concepts to their existing interests. If they love dinosaurs, count dinosaurs. If they enjoy building, talk about heights and shapes. Following the child's lead keeps them engaged and motivated.

Do nursery children need worksheets for maths?

Young children learn maths best through practical, hands-on experiences with real objects. Worksheets can be used occasionally for older nursery children but shouldn't replace play-based learning. Touching, manipulating, and exploring objects builds deeper understanding than paper-based tasks.

How can I tell if my child is meeting expected maths development?

By the end of nursery (around age 4-5), most children can count to 10, recognise numbers, understand more and less, and identify basic shapes. Every child develops differently though. If you have concerns, talk to your child's key person who can share observations and suggest ways to support development.

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