EYFS Mathematics (Maths) Printable Resources & Guidance

Featured above: small selection of Maths resources taken from across different areas of Little Owls Resources. Explore more below.

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Mathematics activities, displays & planning ideas for reception, preschool, nurseries & childminders

Supporting children’s Mathematics development is an important part of high-quality EYFS practice. This page brings together a wide range of EYFS Mathematics printable resources, planning documents, guidance packs and play-based activity ideas for toddlers, preschool and Reception children.

Designed for nurseries, preschools, childminders and Reception classrooms, our resources help practitioners support early mathematical thinking, number sense, counting, subitising, comparing quantities, shape, space, measure, pattern and problem-solving through meaningful play and responsive adult interaction. You’ll find practical EYFS Mathematics activities, early number resources, maths planning guidance, progression tools, outdoor maths ideas and printable provision materials aligned with Development Matters and the EYFS Framework.

Whether you are looking for Reception maths planning resources, preschool small-group maths sessions, toddler early maths activities, or play-based Mathematics ideas for continuous provision, this page includes both free EYFS printable resources and professional practitioner guidance to support confident, inclusive and developmentally appropriate maths practice.

Sections on this page:

⭐ Free Sample ‘Maths’ Resources

📘 Core Guidance Surrounding ‘Mathematics’ Planning & Provision

What do we mean by ‘Mathematics’? | What High-Quality Mathematics Practice Looks Like | Mathematics Progression in EYFS | Mathematics within Continuous Provision Enhancements | Inclusive Mathematics Practice | SEND & EAL | Mathematics and the Other Areas of Learning

🧺 Maths Continuous Provision

🖨️ Printable Provision Resources - Search by:

✨ Top Picks

🌱 Age

🔤 Key Areas, Words & Phrases

🗂️ Themes & Topics

📝 Planning Resources

📌 Featured Planning Resources

💡 Development Matters Examples of How to Support ‘Mathematics’

• Birth to 3

• 3 and 4 Year Olds

• Reception

🧭 Age-Specific Curriculum & Pedagogy Planning Support for ‘Mathematics’

Guidance Documents, Session Banks, Skills Progression Ladders, Mathematics Seeds Progression Pack, Reception Maths Teaching Framework

• Toddlers | 18 - 36 Months

• Preschool | 3 - 4 Years

• Reception | 4 - 5 Years

🏡 Age-Specific Ideas & Guidance

➕ Further Support

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🧰 Additional ‘Maths’ Tools & Guidance

🌈 Additional Areas of Learning

🔐 Find out more about ‘Membership Options’

🏫 KS1 Mathematics

⭐ Free EYFS ‘Mathematics’ Printable Resources

(Click on the images below to find out more)

💡 Join as a Free Access member to download the samples above and all other free resources available on Little Owls Resources at no cost. Alternatively, explore all membership options here.

Additional Free Sample Printable Provision can be found at the top of most pages.

📘 Core Guidance Surrounding ‘Mathematics’ Planning & Provision

• What do we mean by ‘Mathematics’?

  “Developing a strong grounding in number is essential so that all children develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically. Children should be able to count confidently, develop a deep understanding of the numbers to 10, the relationships between them and the patterns within those numbers. By providing frequent and varied opportunities to build and apply this understanding - such as using manipulatives, including small pebbles and tens frames for organising counting - children will develop a secure base of knowledge and vocabulary from which mastery of mathematics is built. In addition, it is important that the curriculum includes rich opportunities for children to develop their spatial reasoning skills across all areas of mathematics including shape, space and measures. It is important that children develop positive attitudes and interests in mathematics, look for patterns and relationships, spot connections, ‘have a go’, talk to adults and peers about what they notice and not be afraid to make mistakes.” Development Matters

• What High-Quality Mathematics Practice Looks Like

  High-quality Mathematics practice in the EYFS is rooted in play, exploration, talk, real-life experiences and meaningful problem-solving. Children develop strong mathematical understanding when they have repeated opportunities to notice, compare, count, sort, build, represent, describe and reason within everyday contexts.

  Effective Mathematics provision includes:

  • meaningful mathematical language modelled throughout the day

  • practical, hands-on experiences with objects, quantities and patterns

  • opportunities to subitise, count, compare and compose numbers

  • playful exploration of shape, space, measure and pattern

  • maths-rich continuous provision indoors and outdoors

  • adults modelling curiosity, reasoning and problem-solving

  • repeated opportunities to revisit key mathematical ideas

  • real-life maths through routines, snack time, tidy-up and transitions

  • small-group adult-guided teaching alongside child-initiated exploration

  • inclusive approaches supporting SEND, EAL and different starting points

  Mathematics should be embedded throughout continuous provision, routines, construction, role-play, outdoor learning, songs, stories, games and child-initiated play.

• Mathematics Progression in EYFS

  Children’s Mathematics development grows through play, talk, repetition, exploration and meaningful opportunities to notice and solve problems.

  Children typically progress from:

  • noticing amounts, patterns, shapes and routines

  • using early mathematical language such as more, gone, big and small

  • matching, sorting and grouping objects

  • joining in with number songs, rhymes and counting routines

  • comparing quantities using practical experiences

  • recognising small quantities without counting

  • counting objects with increasing accuracy

  • exploring shape, space, pattern and measure through play

  • understanding that numbers can be composed in different ways

  • solving practical mathematical problems and explaining thinking

  Children develop mathematical understanding at different rates and benefit from practical, playful and language-rich environments where maths is part of everyday life.

• Mathematics within Continuous Provision Enhancements

  Small enhancements within continuous provision can create meaningful opportunities for Mathematics development throughout the day.

  Examples may include:

  • counting collections and loose parts baskets

  • dice, dominoes and subitising games

  • number lines, numerals and quantity cards

  • shape blocks, pattern blocks and construction materials

  • measuring tapes, rulers, scales and containers

  • outdoor maths trails and number hunts

  • sorting trays and classification resources

  • role-play money, tickets, menus and price labels

  • pattern-making resources using beads, natural objects or blocks

  • sand and water tools for exploring capacity and comparison

  • STEM challenges encouraging prediction, testing and problem-solving

  Continuous provision should make mathematical thinking meaningful, practical and visible across the learning environment.

• Inclusive Mathematics Practice | SEND & EAL

  Inclusive Mathematics provision supports every child to access early mathematical ideas through hands-on experiences, clear language, repetition and meaningful play.

  High-quality inclusive practice may include:

  • concrete objects and visual representations

  • repeated routines and familiar mathematical language

  • gestures, modelling and demonstrations

  • practical, low-pressure maths experiences

  • opportunities to explore maths through movement and sensory play

  • adapted resources and accessible manipulatives

  • mathematical language supported by visuals and real objects

  • time for children to revisit and consolidate ideas

  • small-group or adult-guided support where helpful

  • celebrating different ways of noticing, representing and solving problems

  Children benefit from maths environments where exploration, talk, trial and error, and practical problem-solving are valued.

• Mathematics and the Other Areas of Learning

  Mathematics is closely connected to all areas of learning within the EYFS curriculum.

  Communication & Language

  Children use language to compare, explain, predict, reason and describe mathematical ideas.

  Personal, Social & Emotional Development

  Maths games and collaborative problem-solving support turn-taking, resilience, confidence and cooperation.

  Physical Development

  Movement, construction, outdoor play and fine motor activities support spatial awareness, coordination and mathematical exploration.

  Literacy

  Stories, rhymes, symbols, mark-making and mathematical vocabulary support early mathematical understanding.

  Understanding the World

  Children use maths to investigate materials, compare objects, explore patterns, observe changes and make sense of real-world experiences.

  Expressive Arts & Design

  Pattern, shape, symmetry, rhythm, construction and design all support mathematical thinking through creative exploration.

  Mathematics should therefore be woven throughout continuous provision, routines, adult interaction, outdoor learning and child-initiated play.

• Guidance Informed by EYFS Best Practice

  The guidance and resources on this page are informed by:

  • the EYFS Statutory Framework

  • Development Matters

  • play-based and child-centred EYFS pedagogy

  • practical and concrete mathematical exploration

  • early number sense, subitising and counting development

  • shape, space, measure and pattern-rich provision

  • adult-guided mathematical talk and reasoning

  • inclusive approaches supporting SEND, EAL and different starting points

  All resources should be adapted to meet the needs of individual children, cohorts and settings.

• This Guidance is Useful For

  The resources, guidance and printable materials on this page may be useful for:

  • Nursery practitioners

  • Preschool practitioners

  • Reception teachers

  • Childminders

  • EYFS leaders and managers

  • Maths leads

  • SENDCos

  • Early Years students and trainees

  • Intervention staff

  • Parents and carers supporting early maths at home

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🖨️ Printable Provision Resources

Search our ‘Mathematics’ printable provision below.

✨ Top Picks

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Choose Maths Provision by Age

• 🍼 Babies: 0–18 months

• 🚼 Toddlers: 18–36 months

• 🎨 Preschool: 3–4 years

• 🎓 Reception: 4–5 years

Core EYFS Mathematical Provision Areas:

• 🔢 Counting, Number & Subitising

• 🟰 Comparing, Combining & Sharing

• ⭕ Sorting, Matching & Pattern

• ↗️ Shape, Space & Position

• 📏 Measure & Compare

• ✏️ Mathematical Mark-Making & Recording

• 💬 Support Mathematical Talk

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Additional Key Words & Phrases:

🛠️ Many of the pages linked within this section are currently being development for an improved user experience🛠️

• Addition (Finding Total Number in 2 Groups by Counting All)

• Comparing Quantities - ‘More’ & ‘Fewer’

• Doubling

• Division

• Measures - Capacity

• Measures - Money

• Measures - Size, Height, Length & Weight

• Measures - Time

• Multiplication

• Number Formation

• Number Ordering

• Number Recognition & Counting

• One More and One Less / Number Lines

• Outdoor Maths

• Patterns

• Positional Language

• Problem Solving

• Recording - Using Marks they can Interpret & Explain

• Shapes

• Sharing

• Sorting & Matching

• STEM

• Subitising

• Subtraction

• Symmetry

• Uses Shapes Appropriately for Task

Additional Useful Pages:

• Dual-Language Resources

• Role-Play Packs

• STEM

• Greeting Cards (time)

• EYFS Framework

• Planning

• Observation & Assessment

• Outdoor Area

• Growth Mindset

• Picture Communication

• Signs and Labels

• Self Registration

• Posters and Displays

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Topics:

(Premium or Professional members may use the links below to access a selection of resources from within each topic that focus on Maths skills.)

• Animals of the World

• Autumn

• Birds

• Chinese New Year

• Colours

• Construction

• Dinosaurs

• Diwali

• Easter

• Eid al-Fitr

• Epiphany

• Fairies

• Father's Day

• Fireworks

• Food

• Forest School

• Goldilocks and the Three Bears

• Halloween

• Holi

• Inventions

• Jack and the Beanstalk

• Kings and Queens

• Life Cycles

• Little Red Riding Hood

• Medicine – Doctors and Nurses

• Mexico

• Minibeasts

• Mother's Day

• Music & Sound

• New Year

• Nursery Rhymes

• On the Farm

• Outdoor Area: Picnic / Sand Play / Water Play / Mud Kitchen / Wildlife Investigation Area / Outdoor Mark Making / Outdoor Maths

• People Who Help Us

• Pets

• Pirates

• Plants

• Ramadan

• Recycling

• Road Safety

• Space

• Spring

• Stay Healthy

• Summer

• Teddy Bears’ Picnic

• Teeth and Oral Health

• The Three Little Pigs

• Toys

• Transport

• Under the Sea

• Wetlands

• Winter

• Zoo

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📝 Planning Resources

📌 Featured EYFS Mathematics planning resources

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💡 Examples of how to support ‘Mathematics’ learning and development

Extracted from Development Matters; non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage. Includes colour and black and white versions.

Files contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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🧭 Age-Specific Documents for Supporting ‘Mathematics’

Toddlers | 18 - 36 Months

Core Toddler Room ‘Mathematics’ Planning Support

Additional Toddler Room Overarching Areas of Learning Support

The following documents include elements of ‘Mathematics’ which may be helpful tools within your setting’s OAP Cycle.

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Preschool | 3 - 4 Years

Core Preschool ‘Mathematics’ Planning Support

Additional Preschool Overarching Areas of Learning Support

The following documents include elements of ‘Mathematics’ which may be helpful tools within your setting’s OAP Cycle.

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Reception | 4 - 5 Years

Core Reception ‘Mathematics’ Planning Support

Additional Reception Overarching Areas of Learning Support

The following documents include elements of ‘Mathematics’ which may be helpful tools within your setting’s OAP Cycle.

For overarching ‘Area of Learning’ Support such as Curriculum Intent Grids, Development Indicators and Assessment Tools, please visit our ‘Observations & Assessment’ page.

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🏡 Mathematics within Continuous Provision | Age-Specific Ideas & Guidance

• Toddlers | 18–36 Months

  Toddler Mathematics provision should focus on early mathematical awareness through play, movement, language, routines and everyday experiences.

  • Sorting and matching objects by colour, size, type or interest

  • Filling, emptying and comparing capacity in water and sand play

  • Counting during routines, songs, snack time and tidy-up

  • Exploring “more”, “all gone”, “big”, “small”, “full” and “empty”

  • Building, stacking and knocking down blocks

  • Posting, nesting and fitting objects into spaces

  • Pattern and rhythm through songs, clapping and movement

  • Comparing quantities during play, such as “more cars” or “fewer bears”

  • Outdoor maths through collecting, transporting, lining up and grouping objects

  Related Guidance:

  • Continuous Provision Setup Guides | Toddler Room

    • Small World

    • Messy / Wet Play

    • Dry Sensory & Loose Parts

    • Construction

    • Role Play / Home Corner

    • Mark Making

    • Book Area / Reading Nook

    • Music & Sound

    • Outdoor

  • Continuous Provision Maps (18–36 Months)

    • C&L

    • PSED

    • PD

    • Maths Seeds

    • Literacy Seeds

    • UW

    • EAD

  • Continuous Provision Audit & Resourcing List

  • Continuous Provision Rotation Planner Toolkit

  • Toddler Activity Cards Pack | Toddlers (18–36 Months)

  • Mathematics Seeds Progression Pack | Toddlers (18–36 Months)

• Preschool | 3–4 Years

  Preschool Mathematics provision should support children to explore number, pattern, shape, space and measure through practical, play-based experiences.

  • Subitising games using dice, fingers, objects and natural materials

  • Counting collections in construction, small world and investigation areas

  • Comparing quantities using language such as more, fewer, same and equal

  • Exploring shape through building, rotating, fitting and creating

  • Pattern-making with loose parts, beads, blocks and natural objects

  • Measuring through water, sand, cooking, blocks and outdoor play

  • Number-rich role-play using menus, tickets, prices and phones

  • Sorting and classifying objects by different properties

  • Small-group maths games supporting talk, reasoning and confidence

  Related Guidance:

  • Universal Continuous Provision Packs (Preschool | 3–4 Years)

    • Construction Area

    • Small World Area

    • Role-Play Area

    • Writing / Mark-Making Area

    • Maths Area

    • Creative Area (Art & Making)

    • Investigation / STEM / Discovery Area

    • Book Corner / Reading Den

    • Fine Motor Station

    • Water Area

    • Sand Area

    • Snack Area / Independence Station

    • Outdoor Provision Core Zones

      • Physical play

      • Gross motor skills

      • Nature area

      • Outdoor mark-making

      • Outdoor maths

  • Preschool Environment & Provision Map Audit Pack

  • How Continuous Provision Works in Our Preschool Curriculum

  • Continuous Provision Audit Checklist

  • Continuous Provision FAQs (For Preschool Practitioners)

  • Preschool Maths Small-Group Session Bank | 3–4 Years

  • Preschool Skills Progression Ladder: Early Maths - Subitising, Counting & Comparing

  • Preschool Skills Progression Ladder: Early Maths - Pattern, Shape & Spatial Awareness

• Reception | 4–5 Years

  Reception Mathematics provision should support children to deepen number understanding, reason mathematically and apply taught concepts within meaningful play and everyday contexts.

  • Number composition activities using manipulatives, frames and real objects

  • Subitising opportunities embedded in games and routines

  • Counting, comparing and ordering quantities across provision

  • Shape and spatial reasoning through construction, blocks and small world play

  • Pattern exploration through art, music, movement and loose parts

  • Measuring length, height, weight, time and capacity in real contexts

  • Outdoor maths challenges involving movement, routes, scoring and collecting

  • Problem-solving prompts within role-play, STEM and investigation areas

  • Adult-guided maths talk supporting reasoning, explanation and confidence

  Related Guidance:

  • Reception Continuous Provision – Structure & Rationale

  • Universal Continuous Provision Pack (Areas listed below)

    • Construction

    • Creative

    • Investigation / Discovery

    • Maths

    • Reading

    • Role Play / Small World

    • Malleable / Sensory

    • Writing

  • Outdoor Continuous Provision (Reception)

  • Adult-Guided Learning in Provision

  • Reception Maths Teaching Framework | 4–5 Years

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions About EYFS Mathematics

• What is Mathematics in the EYFS?

  Mathematics is one of the specific areas of learning within the EYFS. It includes number, numerical patterns, shape, space, measure, pattern and mathematical problem-solving.

• Why is Mathematics important in early years?

  Mathematics supports children’s problem-solving, reasoning, language, confidence, independence and ability to make sense of the world around them.

• How can practitioners support Mathematics in continuous provision?

  Practitioners can support Mathematics through counting collections, construction, role-play, outdoor maths, sorting, pattern-making, measuring, subitising games and meaningful mathematical talk.

• What are examples of Mathematics activities in Reception?

  Examples include subitising games, counting objects, comparing quantities, number composition activities, shape challenges, pattern-making, measuring investigations and outdoor maths problems.

• What is subitising in EYFS?

  Subitising is the ability to recognise a small quantity without counting. It helps children develop strong number sense and understand how numbers are composed.

• How can toddlers develop early maths skills?

  Toddlers develop early maths through everyday play such as filling and emptying, sorting, matching, building, counting songs, comparing sizes and using words such as more, gone, big and small.

• How does outdoor play support Mathematics?

  Outdoor play supports Mathematics through movement, collecting, counting, measuring, comparing, building, mapping, positional language and problem-solving in real contexts.

• How can role-play support Mathematics?

  Role-play gives children meaningful reasons to use numbers, money, measures, time, lists, tickets, menus, quantities and mathematical language within imaginative contexts.

• How can settings support children who find maths difficult?

  Settings can support children through practical resources, repetition, visual support, adult modelling, small-group interaction, concrete experiences and playful low-pressure maths opportunities.

• How should Reception maths link with continuous provision?

  Reception maths should include planned teaching alongside opportunities for children to apply mathematical ideas through play, routines, adult interaction and problem-solving across provision.

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🧰 Additional ‘Mathematics’ Tools & Guidance

When considering the support you provide for ‘Mathematics’ within your setting, you may find resources on the following pages useful.

🌈 EYFS Printable Resources & Guidance for Additional Areas of Learning

Prime Areas of Learning

These areas are particularly important for building foundations in communication, wellbeing and physical development.

• Communication and Language

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Physical Development

Specific Areas of Learning

These areas build on and strengthen the prime areas as children grow and develop.

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

Additional Curriculum Collections on Little Owls Resources

These collections support learning across multiple EYFS areas and are commonly used alongside the statutory framework.

• STEM

• Science

• History

• Phonics

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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.