A Guide to Numeracy in Reception

The Foundation Stage Maths curriculum is broken down into two sections: Number Shape, Space and Measure.

Number When children first join in reception: Saying some number names in familiar contexts, such as singing nursery rhymes Counting reliably up to three objects and then onto counting up to six objects reliably. (Profile points 1-3)

Number Throughout the year in reception: Saying number names in order, recognising numerials 1-9 and counting up to 10 objects. Then onto problem solving using their own mathematical ideas e.g. Sharing sweets Hands on experiences e.g. Role play area Forming numbers Recognising numbers in their surroundings.

Number End of reception/more able: Recognises, counts, writes and uses numbers up to 20. Place value They can recognise and write numbers accurately.

Number When children first join in reception: Rhymes and games - “Five Little Speckled Frogs” “Ten Green Bottles”. Compare sets of objects in different groups “How many do you have? Do you have more?” One more or one less from a group of 5 objects.

Number Throughout the year in reception: Adds groups together. “How much have you spent altogether?” Subtraction “How many pieces of fruit did the hungry caterpillar eat?” Finding one more or one less than a number from 1 to 10. Start doubling, halving, grouping and sharing using their own methods. (Practical)

Number End of reception/ more able: Mentally recall number facts to carry out calculations eg playing a game and rolling a dice “double 5 is 10” without support. Knows that pairs of numbers that can make 10.

Vocabulary Add, take away, makes, altogether, how many, more than, less than, subtract, groups, double, share 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Shape, space and measure (SSM): When children first join in reception: Experiment with a range of objects and materials to make e.g shape pictures Matching shapes Making 3D models. Compare Bears Describe shapes in simple models, pictures and patterns using everyday language.

Shape, space and measure (SSM): Throughout the year in reception: Children recognise and describe simple patterns e.g: boy, girl, boy girl. Use a range of equipment to make patterns Describe position e.g “our dog sleeps under my bed”. Children begin to describe shapes. Children begin comparing groups Problem solving problems

Shape, space and measure (SSM): End of reception/ more able: Children use language to describe solid (3D) and flat (2D) shapes Common name

Vocabulary: Positional: Under, in, on, between, next to Shape: flat, curved, straight, corner, side, end, roll, slide, circle, bigger Compare: greater, smaller, heavier, lighter, big, bigger, small,

How to support your child in Reception Numbers for labelling and counting: Practise writing numbers on the bathroom wall at bath time Write numbers using fingers in a tray of shaving foam or jelly Use old paint brushes and water and paint on the pavement Use chalk to practise writing numbers Draw and label your own hopscotch Make your own number lines to count along and back

How to support your child in Reception Number continued: Add up the number of plates or forks at the dinner time Share sweets among the family Count socks in pairs (doubling) when putting them away Count toys into a box when tidying up

How to support your child in Reception Shape space and measure: Make patterns using different toys Look at shapes around your home- are they 2D or 3D Play I Spy with shapes Compare weights of fruits in the supermarket when shopping Compare lengths of trousers/ tights with siblings and parents Make patterns using colour