The role of play in early childhood development is so important, it is a vital component of learning, especially when it comes to developing early numeracy skills. Lots of playful activities lays a strong foundation for mathematical understanding and helps children grasp complex concepts in a natural and enjoyable way. Here’s our top reasons why play can greatly enhance early numeracy skills in children.
1. Play Builds Basic Number Sense:
Simple counting games that involve counting objects, steps, or even claps can help children understand the concept of numbers and their order. For example, counting the number of blocks while building a tower reinforces numerical sequences.
Also, rhymes and songs with numbers, such as songs like “Five Little Ducks” or “Ten in the Bed” introduce children to counting in a fun and memorable way. These repetitive and rhythmic songs help with basic counting and subtraction concepts.
2. Understanding Quantities and Comparisons:
Sorting and grouping activities, where children group objects by colour, size or type, teach them to recognise patterns and compare quantities. This is fundamental for children to understand more complex mathematical concepts as children grow.
Board games such as, “Snakes and Ladders” or “Monopoly Junior” involve counting spaces and recognising numbers on dice, helps children to associate numbers with quantities and develop a sense of magnitude.
3. Spatial Awareness and Geometry:
Toys like building blocks and Lego allows children to explore shapes, sizes, and spatial relationships. This is due to them constructing structures with blocks or the Lego pieces. Children learn about symmetry, balance, and geometry through hands-on experience with these blocks.
Jigsaw puzzles also enhance spatial reasoning by requiring children to recognise shapes and how they fit together. This skill is crucial for geometry and problem-solving.
4. Recognising Patterns and Sequences:
Activities that involve creating or identifying patterns (such as alternating colours or shapes) help children to understand sequences and predict what comes next. Recognising patterns is an important skill for understanding algebra and advanced math.
Stringing beads in specific sequences (e.g., red, blue, red, blue) not only improves fine motor skills but also helps children learn to identify and create patterns.
5. Developing Measurement Skills:
Cooking and baking are great for introducing children to measuring. Measuring ingredients for a recipe teaches children about quantities, fractions and the concept of more or less. It’s a practical way to introduce children to units of measurement and volume.
Playing with sand and water, using different-sized containers, helps children understand concepts of volume and capacity. They learn through experimentation and observation.
6. Enhancing Problem-Solving Abilities:
Setting up a pretend shop or restaurant allows children to use money, make transactions, and handle change. These activities require them to solve problems and think critically about numbers and operations.
Strategy games like Chess or Checkers involves strategic thinking and planning ahead, which are important skills for solving mathematical problems.
Our STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) activity cards is a great way to introduce maths skills early on through play. The activities use simple items from around the home or supermarket. Shop our STEM Activity Cards here.
To help nurture numeracy skills through play, it’s important to create an environment where children feel free to explore and experiment. Integrate play into your daily routines by using everyday activities as opportunities for playful learning. For example, counting steps while climbing stairs or sorting laundry by colour. Participate in play with your child, guiding them gently and asking questions that provoke thinking and reasoning. Encourage children to ask questions and explore different ways of solving problems. Celebrate their curiosity and creative solutions.
Play is not just a break from structured learning; it is an essential part of developing early numeracy skills. Through playful activities, children naturally discover mathematical concepts and develop a love for learning that will serve them throughout their educational journey. By integrating play into everyday life, parents and educators can provide children with a strong foundation in numeracy and a lifelong appreciation for mathematics.