Recently Published
Early Years Articles
Young Children's Mathematical Recording
Stage: Early years and 1
In this article, Janine Davenall reflects on children’s personalised mathematical recordings as part of a small research project based in her Reception class.
Mathematical Problem Solving in the Early Years: Developing Opportunities, Strategies and Confidence
Stage: Early years and 1
In this article for Early Years practitioners, Dr Sue Gifford outlines ways to develop children's problem-solving strategies and confidence in problem solving.
What to Expect, When? Parents' Guide 2015
Stage: Early years
This short article critiques the 'What to Expect, When' guidance, written for parents who want to find out more about their child's learning and development in the first five years.
The Value of Two
Stage: Early years and 1
Ruth Trundley outlines her doctoral research and concludes that development of an understanding of cardinality is a crucial element of counting that can be overlooked.
Developing Number Through Tidying Up
Stage: Early years and 1
This article describes how one nursery setting focused on tidying up time as a context in which to explicitly target the development of number and calculation skills.
Early Years Mathematics: How to Create a Nation of Mathematics Lovers?
Stage: Early years
In this article, Dr Sue Gifford outlines how we can create positive attitudes and higher achievement in mathematics, starting in the Early Years.
Mathematical Problem Solving in the Early Years
This article describes how the NRICH Early Years resources aim to further develop young children's natural problem-solving abilities in the context of mathematics.
A Good Foundation for Number Learning for Five Year Olds?
Stage: Early years and 1
This article, written by Dr. Sue Gifford, evaluates the Early Learning Numbers Goal in England, in the light of research.
Further Resources
Water, Water
How will we find out which bottles will hold the most lemonade for our outing to the parkDOWNLOAD HERE?
Using Books
The Doorbell Rang is a lovely book to share with children and will provoke some interesting mathematical discussionsDOWNLOAD HERE.
Socks
Placing a number of socks in the environment can encourage conversations about capacity, sorting and matchingDOWNLOAD HERE.
Balances
A variety of balances and objects to put in/on them will intrigue young childrenDOWNLOAD HERE.
Shapes in the Bag
Children put their hand into a bag and try to describe the shape they feel without lookingDOWNLOAD HERE.
Dressing Up
This activity encourages children to think mathematically as they play with dressing-up clothesDOWNLOAD HERE.
Making Caterpillars
Our making caterpillars activity uses clay and dough to introduce measurement. DOWNLOAD HERE
Making a Picture
Children's picture making is a useful context for recognising and describing patterns and shapes. DOWNLOAD HERE
Collecting
Most children love collecting and it's an ideal context for sorting and counting. DOWNLOAD HERE
Playing Incey Wincey Spider
Here are ideas for using this well known rhyme as a counting game: who will win, the rain or the sun? Download
Exploring 2D Shapes
Using ribbons and strings to support small children's understanding of 2D shape. DOWNLOAD HERE
Wrapping Parcels
Create a post office role play area and invite children to wrap parcels for sendingDOWNLOAD HERE.
Early Years Books
Publishing information about books we have referenced (and others that have been recommended to us by you).
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.