2.5y–4.2y12 minFamily timeQuiet timeFree play
Finger Helper Problems
A short adult-guided maths chat where children solve simple problems using strategies like fingers, counting aloud, or using small objects—and adults explicitly talk about the strategy, not just the answer.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 5–10 small items for counting (e.g., crackers, blocks, coins, buttons)
- a flat surface (table/floor)
Nice to have
- paper and crayon to draw simple marks
- two small cups/bowls to make ‘groups’
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· core
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· stretch· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneRecites the counting sequenceMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneBegins to identify own mathematical problems based on own interests and fascinations.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recites numbers in order to 10.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk with children about the strategies they are using, e.g. to work out a solution to a simple problem by using fingers or counting aloud.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)