3.3y–5y10 minFamily timeMealtimeDevelopmental play
Home-Language Number Helper
Use your home language first (then English if you want) so your child can show accurate understanding of number concepts like how many, more/fewer, and altogether.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 10–20 small objects (or snack pieces) to count
- paper and a marker
- two bowls/plates (to make two groups)
Nice to have
- sticky notes (as number labels)
- a phone (optional, to check spelling of number words in your home language)
- stickers (as extra counters)
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 objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneReports the counted totalMind· 4.3y–5y· stretch· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneRecognises written numeralsMind· 4y–5y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneNames written numeralsMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneVerbal opposite identificationMind· 4.5y–5y· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Selects the correct numeral to represent 1 to 5, then 1 to 10 objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Counts an irregular arrangement of up to ten objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses the language of ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ to compare two sets of objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Finds the total number of items in two groups by counting all of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Give children learning English as additional language opportunities to work in their home language to ensure accurate understanding of concepts.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)