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What your child will learn in maths#
Every day, your child is finding out about and using mathematical ideas such as counting, measuring, sorting, patterns, numbers, shapes, size and position. You can support their understanding and confidence with mathematics by helping them to notice patterns, shapes, sizes, and numbers wherever you are, and by including mathematical ideas in their play, interests and everyday activities.
Having good mathematical skills and a positive view of themselves as maths learners will help your child in the future. They are important for solving problems and creative thinking. When talking to your child about maths encourage them to use the vocabulary that they have been using in their maths classes.
Numbers#
Your child is learning to:
- count in 1s, 2s and 10s forwards and backwards to 20, then up to 100
- recognise, read, write and compare numbers up to at least 20, and use place value to show numbers – for example, 17 is 1 10 and 7 1s – and use language like 'first, second, third'
- make smaller groups in different ways using 20 objects, like 10 and 10, and 11 and 9 and 15 and 5
- develop addition and subtraction ideas by joining and separating groups of up to 20 objects and finding the difference between groups by counting
- explore and remember basic addition facts up to 10 and their subtraction facts (families of facts, like 6 + 4 = 10, and 4 + 6 = 10 and 10 - 4 = 6 and 10 - 6 = 4) including doubles and halves
- develop multiplication and division ideas by using equal groups or counting, like making 3 groups of 3 blocks and then counting all the blocks
- start learning about fractions by talking about, drawing and using materials to show halves and quarters, and finding halves and quarters of small groups of objects or shapes
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- find numbers around your home and neighbourhood – clocks, letterboxes, speed signs
- count forwards and backwards – microwave, clocks, fingers and toes, letterboxes, action rhymes, signs
- do sums using small numbers of objects – for example "we have 2 marbles, let’s get 3 more, how many do we have now?"
- make up number stories – "you have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. There are 4 of them"
- bake – talk to your child about the recipe/ingredients using words like, "how many?” “How much?” And, “more”. Count how many teaspoons of baking soda are needed, how many cups of flour and how many muffin cases.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- count on, count back
- digit
- double, halve
- equal group
- equal part
- fair share
- forwards, backwards
- fraction
- half, quarter
- odd, even
- partition
- set
- share
- skip count
- subtract
- sum, difference
- whole set.
Algebra#
Your child is learning to:
- solve number sentences – like 7 - 5 = 6 - 4 or like 2 + 5 = 3 + _
- recognise and explore patterns that repeat in a sequence of three elements, like red-blue-green, red-blue-green – children will copy patterns they see by continuing them, creating their own, and explaining how they work.
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- create patterns with everyday objects. Use blocks, beads, shells or toys to make and extend patterns (red-blue-red-blue or big-small-big-small). Ask your child to predict "what comes next?"
- play "what's missing?" games. Line up a few toys or objects, then remove 1 while your child closes their eyes. Ask them to identify what's missing, helping them understand the concept of unknown values.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- changed, unchanged
- element
- equal, equivalent
- equation
- number sentence
- repeating pattern
- true, false
- unit of repeat
- zero.
Measurement#
Your child is learning to:
- compare objects by looking at their size, weight, and how much they can hold and decide which object is longer, heavier or holds more
- order the days of the week and understand when things happen in their daily routine, using words like 'morning', 'afternoon' and 'night' to talk about their day
- tell the time to the hour using 'o'clock'.
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- play with water using differently shaped containers and measuring cups in the sink or bath
- play dress-ups and getting dressed, use words like 'short' and 'long’', and ask questions like "what goes on first?", "what goes on next?" and "does it fit?"
- talk about time during the day and look at your family calendar.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- capacity
- day, week, month, year
- days of the week
- distance
- earlier, later
- hour
- morning, afternoon, evening
- o’clock
- starting point, end point
- weight.
Geometry#
Your child is learning to:
- Name and sort different shapes, such as triangles, circles, and squares, and 3D shapes like cubes, cylinders and spheres.
- Make a big shape using smaller shapes – by predicting which smaller shapes can be used, and then checking, like using a square and a triangle to make a house shape.
- Flip, slide, and turn 2D shapes to create fun patterns.
- Follow simple directions to move to a familiar place or find an object. For example, you might say, "go to the door" or "find your red ball on the shelf". Children will use pictures, diagrams or stories to help describe where things are.
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- build with blocks and talk about shapes – describe the shapes you're using (cubes, rectangles) and discuss concepts like 'on top of', 'beside' or 'under' to develop spatial awareness
- read picture books that emphasise positional language and movement – for example, 'Scatter Cat', 'Bears in the Night', 'We’re Going on a Moa Hunt'
- go on a shape hunt around your house or neighbourhood – look for circles, squares, triangles and rectangles in your environment and talk about their properties
- cut sandwiches into different shapes – make triangles, squares or rectangles and talk about how the pieces look different but are still the same amount of food.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- 2D shape
- 3D or solid shape
- cube, cylinder, sphere
- edge, face
- slide
- rectangle.
Statistics#
Your child is learning to carry out a statistical investigation with the teacher and classmates by:
- asking questions about categories, like favourite colours or types of animals our class has as pets, and predict what the data might show
- planning questions for a survey to collect information
- recording, sorting and presenting data using surveys, tallies, tables, picture graphs and dot plots
- analysing statements to decide which statement best answers the original question based on data – for example, "the most popular ice cream flavour in Room 7 is chocolate"
- developing statistical literacy by checking to see if they agree or disagree with the statements other people make about graphs and data.
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- gather leaves, rocks, or pine cones during a walk, then sort them by different attributes – count how many are in each category
- play restaurants where the children ask people’s favourite drink or meal.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- data
- dot plot
- information
- most, least
- picture graph
- survey
- tally.
Probability#
Your child is learning to decide whether something will happen, won’t happen or might happen, and what’s possible or impossible when taking part in stories or games that involve chance, like flipping a coin or rolling a die.
Ideas to help at home
With your child, you could:
- ask questions like "what do you think the weather is going to be like today/tomorrow?", make simple predictions during daily routines such as "if I mix up your socks in the drawer do you think you'll pull out matching ones without looking?" and then test it out
- play games like 'snap' or 'memory'.
Words your child will be learning
Words include:
- chance
- possible, impossible
- will happen, won’t happen, might happen.
Resource#
Year 1: Maths at home