Finn didn’t like Ioan’s game (two posts back) because the numbers had to steal each other’s letters. In his world, all numbers need the highest level of respect!

Resources

  • Stickly labels with written numbers on
  • Magnets with numbers written on
  • Magnetic numbers
  • Magnetic letters
  • Magnatiles
  • Variety of magnets

Method

“Mummy, I did see you take a picture of Ioan’s magnet game. It was very good, but would you like me to teach you my game now? It’s called the properly game because you have to do the words PROP-ER-LY. Do you see? They can all have letters! I can help you because it’s a bit tricky.”

Finn found all the letters to spell the number words, then all the magnetic numbers to match the word.

He worked methodically, working through all the numbers in chronological order. He chattered away, telling me which numbers were one less, and one more as he went.

DfES Early Learning Goals (2017)

Communication and language

ELG 03 – Speaking:

Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.

Personal, social and emotional development

ELG 06 – Self-confidence and self-awareness:

Children are confident to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others. They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about their ideas, and will choose the resources they need for their chosen activities. They say when they do or don’t need help.

Literacy

ELG 09 – Reading:

Children use phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. They also read some common irregular words. They demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read.

Mathematics

ELG 11 – Numbers:

Children count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number.