More Than Just 1, 2, 3: How We Build a Love for Maths in the Early Years

More Than Just 1, 2, 3: How We Build a Love for Maths in the Early Years

As parents, we often hear the word “maths” and might instinctively think of complex equations, long division, or perhaps even the struggles we faced in our own school days. It’s a common misconception that mathematics is a dry, abstract subject, best reserved for textbooks and classrooms as children get older.

However, at Thrive Childcare, we see maths in a wonderfully different light. For us, early years numeracy isn’t about rote counting or memorising facts; it’s about fostering curiosity, building confidence, and igniting a lifelong love for exploration and problem-solving through play.

We believe that a positive relationship with maths begins long before formal schooling, woven into the fabric of everyday experiences and joyful discovery. We are not just childcare providers; we are educational experts dedicated to laying robust foundations for your child’s future.

Early Years Numeracy: Maths is Everywhere!

The truth is, maths is all around us, embedded in the patterns of nature, the rhythm of a song, the structure of a building, and the simple act of sharing toys. Our approach to early years numeracy is to make these connections explicit and exciting, revealing the magic of mathematical thinking through fun, hands-on activities.

We demystify early years numeracy by breaking it down into fundamental concepts that children naturally encounter and explore:

• Number Sense: This isn’t just about counting from one to ten. It’s about understanding what those numbers represent – that “three” means a specific quantity, whether it’s three blocks, three apples, or three jumps. We help children develop this understanding through practical activities like counting how many children are at the table, distributing snacks equally, or sorting toys into groups of specific sizes.
• Patterns: The world is full of patterns – stripes on a zebra, the sequence of days in a week, the alternating colours in a bead necklace. Recognising and creating patterns is a foundational mathematical skill that develops logical thinking and prediction. We encourage children to identify patterns in songs, stories, and even their own clothing, and to create their own patterns using blocks, beads, or natural materials.
• Shapes and Space: Geometry isn’t just for architects! Young children are constantly exploring shapes – identifying circles in wheels, squares in windows, and triangles in roofs. Understanding spatial relationships involves concepts like “over,” “under,” “next to,” “inside,” and “outside.” Our activities involve shape puzzles, building with various shaped blocks, and navigating obstacle courses.
• Measurement: How tall is the tower? Who has more juice? Is the teddy bear heavy or light? These are all questions that introduce concepts of length, capacity, and weight. We use non-standard units (like counting how many hand spans long a rug is) before introducing standard measures, making the learning tangible and relatable.
• Problem-Solving: At its heart, mathematics is about solving problems. From figuring out how many more pieces of fruit are needed for everyone to have one, to strategising how to fit all the puzzle pieces together, children are constantly engaging in mathematical problem-solving through play.

How Concepts are Taught Through Fun, Everyday Activities

At Thrive Childcare, maths isn’t confined to a specific “maths time” or “maths area” Instead, it’s organically woven into every aspect of our day, making learning joyful and seamless. Our approach is deeply rooted in play-based learning, recognising that children learn best when they are actively engaged and having fun.

Here are just a few examples of how we embed mathematical concepts in our daily activities:

• Story Time: Reading books isn’t just for literacy! We choose stories rich with mathematical concepts – books that involve counting animals, identifying shapes in illustrations, or following a sequence of events. We encourage children to predict what comes next (patterning) or count objects on the page.
• Building Blocks and Construction Play: This is a goldmine for mathematical learning! Children explore shapes, spatial awareness, balance, measurement, and problem-solving as they build towers, bridges, and complex structures. They learn about stability (“this block is too small for the base”), size comparison (“my tower is taller than yours”), and counting (“I need five more blocks”).
• Sand and Water Play: These sensory experiences offer endless opportunities for exploring capacity and measurement. Children fill and empty containers of different sizes, comparing “more” and “less,” and understanding volume in a very tangible way.
• Cooking, Baking and Role Play: Following a recipe involves precise measurement, counting ingredients, and understanding sequencing. Children love helping in the kitchen, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce practical maths skills while also developing healthy eating habits for young children.
• Outdoor Exploration: The natural world is a living maths classroom. Children count leaves, identify patterns on tree bark, compare the sizes of stones, and measure distances by running or jumping. Our dedicated outdoor spaces are designed to encourage this kind of spontaneous mathematical discovery. Learn more about the benefits of outdoor play and exploration for young children.
• Songs and Rhymes: Many traditional children’s songs and rhymes incorporate counting, sequencing, and rhythm, subtly embedding mathematical concepts in a fun and memorable way.
• Daily Routines: Simple routines like setting the table (counting plates and cups), tidying up (sorting toys by type or colour), or lining up (understanding order and position) all offer opportunities for mathematical practice.

Our educators are skilled observers, identifying teachable moments and gently extending children’s thinking. They might ask, “How many blue cars do we have?” or “Can you find a shape that has four equal sides?” These open-ended questions encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, without feeling like a formal lesson. For a deeper dive into how we tailor our approach, consider our insights on how to identify and support your child’s learning style.

The Thrive Advantage: Nurturing Confident Mathematicians

At Thrive Childcare, we pride ourselves on creating an environment where children feel safe, curious, and confident to explore. Our dedicated team of educators are not just caregivers; they are passionate early years specialists who understand the intricate stages of child development (0-5 years) and how to nurture each child’s unique journey.

Our commitment to safety ensures children feel secure enough to experiment and make mistakes, which is a vital part of the learning process. Read more about nursery safety: how we keep your child safe and happy at Thrive. We also understand that emotional well-being underpins all learning, and our supportive environment helps in supporting children’s mental health, allowing them to approach new concepts without anxiety.

We know that some behaviours can be challenging, but often these are expressions of developmental stages. Our approach to tackling common toddler behaviours: biting, hitting, and tantrums is always rooted in understanding and gentle guidance, helping children develop self-regulation and social skills, which indirectly supports their ability to engage in collaborative mathematical play.

For new families, we provide comprehensive support to ensure a smooth start. Our tips for settling into nursery help both children and parents feel comfortable and confident in our setting. And as children approach the next stage, our focus on how Thrive Childcare nurtures a seamless transition to primary school ensures they are not only academically prepared but also socially and emotionally ready for new challenges.

Partnering with Parents: Bringing Maths Home

We believe that learning is a collaborative journey between nursery and home. You can reinforce these early maths concepts in countless ways in your daily life:

• Count everything! Stairs, socks, toys, fingers and toes.
• Point out shapes: In food, books, or objects around the house.
• Explore patterns: In clothing, wallpaper, or even clapping sequences.
• Involve them in cooking: Let them help measure ingredients.
• Play games: Board games, card games, and even simple sorting games are fantastic for maths.

Remember that encouraging creativity and imagination is also key to mathematical thinking. Our article on nursery activities to encourage creativity and imagination at home provides excellent ideas that indirectly support numeracy.

Your involvement in your child’s early education is invaluable. Learn more about the parent partnership: why your involvement is the secret ingredient in your child’s early education.

Conclusion: Building Confident Learners for Life

At Thrive Childcare, we’re not just teaching children to count; we’re cultivating a deep-seated appreciation for the logic, beauty, and practical application of mathematics. By making numeracy fun, relevant, and hands-on, we empower children to become confident problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and enthusiastic learners.

They discover that maths is an exciting adventure, not a daunting task. This early foundation of curiosity and confidence will serve them well throughout their academic journey and into their adult lives, proving that early years maths is indeed so much more than just 1, 2, 3.