Possible contexts

Nursery rhyme or traditional tale

Small world play, topic related, child initiated

Use everyday words to describe position

What did you put next to the square?

What could you put after the red triangle?

Can you make your path go under the table?

Count reliably up to ten everyday objects

Use language such as more or less to compare two numbers

Who used more shapes, you or Jo?

Can you get more lorries on your road than Jo?

Getting Started

See what path you can make.

Tell me about this.

Shall we look at what everyone has made?

I like this path you've made.

I wonder what/who could be going along your path?

Use language such as 'circle', 'bigger' ... to describe the shape and size of solids and flat shapes

Would you like to change your path?

Could we join some of/all the paths together?

Could we make a path for teddy/doll just using the big circles (select one, two or three types)?

Talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns

How did you know what to put next?

I think I can see a pattern in your path! Am I right?

Can you tell me anything else about your path?

In addition to these mathematical observations you will have opportunities to observe other aspects of the EYFS Themes and Commitments.

You may like to print off one of these sheets as an aide (1, 2, 3), on which you can note down what individual children say and do as they engage with the activity. Please do send us photos, further suggestions and comments.