Early Maths in Early Years: How We Teach Maths Through Play in Nursery and Preschool

For many parents, the word maths brings back memories of worksheets and times tables. But in early years settings, maths looks very different. It’s hands-on, playful, and often woven into music, movement, and everyday routines.

At Magnolia Tree Day Nursery, we introduce early maths skills through play-based learning. This helps children develop confidence with numbers, patterns, and problem-solving in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

The best part? Most children don’t even realise they’re learning maths—they’re simply having fun.

Here are some ways we introduce maths to your child, and ideas for what you can do at home to support their development.

Using Songs and Rhymes to Build Early Counting Skills

Songs and rhymes are one of the most effective ways to support early numeracy in preschool children. You may already hear your child singing favourites like Five Little Ducks or Ten Green Bottles at home.

These activities help children to:

• Count forwards and backwards

• Recognise number sequences

• Begin to understand simple addition and subtraction

• Develop memory, rhythm, and listening skills

We often use counting songs during transitions, such as tidy-up time or getting ready to go outside, turning everyday routines into valuable learning moments.

Everyday Counting in Nursery Routines

Maths naturally appears throughout the day, and we make the most of these moments to support learning.

For example, children might:

• Count cups or plates at snack time

• Share out toys or resources

• Match socks, shoes, or objects

• Talk about “more” and “less” during play

This real-life context helps children understand how numbers are used in everyday situations, making learning more meaningful.

Mark-Making and Early Maths Language

Before children begin writing numbers, they explore mark-making using a variety of materials such as crayons, paint, sand, and even mud.

Through this, they:

• Experiment with shapes and patterns

• Begin forming early number shapes

• Explore size, length, and comparison

• Develop fine motor skills needed for writing

We also introduce key mathematical language during play, including words like big, small, tall, short, heavy, and light. This helps children describe and understand the world around them.

Building, Sorting and Problem-Solving Through Play

Resources like building blocks, puzzles, and shape sorters are essential for developing early maths skills.

These activities encourage children to:

• Recognise shapes and patterns

• Compare sizes and quantities

• Develop spatial awareness

• Solve simple problems

You might hear practitioners asking questions such as:

• “Which tower is taller?”

• “Can you find the same shape?”

• “What comes next?”

These interactions support children in thinking critically and developing mathematical understanding through exploration.

Number Recognition Games

Once the children begin to understand numbers, being able to recognise them is a key step in early maths development.

In our nursery, we introduce number recognition through fun, engaging games:

• Number Hunt - We hide numbers around the room or outdoor space and encourage children to find and name them.

• Number Matching Activities - Children match numerals to groups of objects, helping them connect numbers with quantity.

• Hopscotch Counting - Outdoor number games like hopscotch allow children to recognise numbers while moving and playing.

• Playdough Numbers - Children shape numbers using playdough, supporting both number recognition and fine motor development.

These playful approaches help children build familiarity with numbers without pressure or formal instruction.

Why Play-Based Maths Learning Matters

In early childhood, maths is not about getting the right answer—it’s about building confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for future learning.

At Magnolia Tree Day Nursery, we are passionate about making early maths in nursery fun, engaging, and meaningful. By embedding maths into play, we help children build confidence and a lifelong love of learning. This approach prepares them for more formal maths learning later on, without pressure or anxiety.