Sea Tuff Trays
All sea themed trays are designed to be waterless. I know, it is weird, but like this you can set…
Sensory Tuff Trays
We started using our senses to explore the world from birth. We used tasting, smelling. touching…
Maths Tuff Trays
This page will give you quite a few ideas how to encourage your child to figure out maths using all…
Maths in Reception (4-5 years)
I don’t like to use workbooks, worksheets and activity books at this age. They will have plenty of…
Dinosaurs Water Tuff Tray
My nearly 3 year old Alex loves dinosaurs and water play so this tray was a great hit. You can…
Beginning to do some simple measuring
Try show them how to use it and watch them experimenting. I like to put measuring tapes in a…
Recognising coins and values combinations to total 10p
This activity is great to understand the value of number 10. It extends the understanding of putting…
Comparing lengths and quantities
Comparing quantities Use words such as ‘greater’, ‘smaller’, ‘heavier’ or ‘lighter’. Use your child…
Give change from 10p
Say “Number bonds to 10 (show 10 fingers); 5(show 5 fingers only); ask your child how many more…
Counting and recognising numbers up to 20
Recognising numbers to 20 Linking maths with literacy is super easy and allows your child to free…
Counting out a number of objects from a larger group
Count dried coloured pasta from a tray. Ask "we need 5 pieces in this bowl for teddy please…
Using a number line to count on and back
Make a number line to 20 Try to establish daily challenges and count on or back first using a…
Doubling and halving
Doubling Place toys on a flat surface, put a mirror next to them and watch how easily you doubled…
Estimating a number of objects and checking by counting
Put water beads, marbles and water in a water tray. Ask your children to hide when you fill up a…
Finding one more or one less than any number from 1 to 20
Start with building the skill by understanding how the numbers grow or shrink. Use magnets or…
Finding the total number of items in two groups by counting them all.
Use any toys, pens, sticks, pine cones that you might have around you. If you are outdoors, use pine…
Understanding addition and subtraction
Use actions to help your child remember the signs and distinguish between them better. Keep swapping…
Knowing days of the week and seasons
Days of the week I love to use a big whiteboard as a weekly calendar. We made our together. Stick…
Recognising simple patterns
Dye some pasta and make few patterns. Here are some more ideas: coloured blocks, line up teddies…
Creating simple patterns
You can use any stamps you have at home. I made these ones out of snap cubes/ unifix. Find a link to…
Describing position of objects
At this stage children are expected to use everyday language to describe the position of objects. We…
Positioning items according to their place in a group
Arrange a car race or a teddy race. Record the winners with magnetic numbers. Don’t forget to model…
Sequencing daily events
At the end of reception your child should have a basic understanding of time. They should know the…
Naming and describing 2D and 3D shapes
Explore the properties of 2D shapes 2D shapes have: VERTICES = angles = corners SIDES They are so…
Counting aloud in ones, twos, fives, tens
Count in 2s Super Tip: Count in pattern: count '1' quietly and '2' loud, '3' quietly and '4' loud…
