2.5y–4.2y12 minFamily timeChore timeFree play
Number Words All Around
A quick guided routine that helps adults weave number language (‘one’, ‘two’, ‘lots’, ‘fewer’, ‘how many?’, ‘count’) into play and everyday moments, with gentle prompts and child-led choices.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 10 small everyday objects (e.g., blocks, socks, spoons, toy cars)
- two small bowls/containers
Nice to have
- paper and crayon for quick number marks
- a timer (phone) to keep it brief
Movement level: low
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 mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneRecites the counting sequenceMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- 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
- 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
- Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use number language, e.g. ‘one’, ‘two’, ‘three’, ‘lots’, ‘fewer’, ‘hundreds’, ‘how many?’ and ‘count’ in a variety of situations.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)