3.3y–5y10 minReadingStory timeQuiet time
Number Book Spot-and-Count
Create a mini ‘display’ of number-related books and use a short routine to spot numerals, estimate and count pictures, compare pages using more/fewer, and find totals across two groups.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 1–3 books that include numbers or clear pictures to count
- paper and a marker (to make a quick numeral strip 1–10)
- optional counters (buttons/coins) for pointing or matching
Nice to have
- sticky notes (as page bookmarks)
- a small tray (to hold counters neatly)
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· Step 2
- MilestoneReports the counted totalMind· 4.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneRecognises written numeralsMind· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneVerbal opposite identificationMind· 4.5y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneWrites numerals with supportMind· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneEnjoys an increasing range of books.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Selects the correct numeral to represent 1 to 5, then 1 to 10 objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Estimates how many objects they can see and checks by counting them.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
- “Display interesting books about number.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)