2.5y–4.2y10 minArtFree playFamily time
Dots and Dashes Number Notes
A quick mark-making activity where your child uses simple marks (dots, lines, circles) to show how many, then checks their thinking by matching objects and counting.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper (any scrap paper is fine)
- a crayon/pencil/pen
- a small set of objects (e.g., toy cars, blocks, pegs, socks)
Nice to have
- sticky notes (to label piles with marks)
- a bowl/box (to hold the objects)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· core· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· core· Step 2
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· core
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· stretch
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneProduces controlled varied strokesBody· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneDistinguishes between the different marks they make.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch
What it practices
- Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names accurately in play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children to use mark-making to support their thinking about numbers and simple problems.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)