Mathematics 

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Mathematics is broken down into two aspects:

• Numbers- Children count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. Using quantities and objects, they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and can count on or back to find the answer. They solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing. 
• Shape, Space and Measures- Children use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems. They recognise, create and describe patterns. They explore characteristics of everyday  objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them. 

Mathematics is all about understanding and using shape, space, measures and numbers to solve everyday problems like how much sticky tape to use to wrap a parcel or the number of red balloons that would need to be bought so that there were enough for all the children attending a party. Helping children to enjoy Mathematics is probably one of the most important things that adults can do so that children realise that mathematics is a way of finding things out and solving problems. When something has real meaning for a child they will learn about it.

Enjoy stories and rhymes with your child that has a mathematical element, e.g. “One-two, Buckle my Shoe”.  Using rhymes can also help develop your Childs awareness of sequencing. Let your child count out items in the books – how many animals are on the page, how many items are blue?