Practical resources for counting, comparing, pattern, shape and mathematical discovery
Explore printable resources to support maths continuous provision in nurseries, preschools, Reception classes and childminding settings.
Explore printable resources to support maths continuous provision in nurseries, preschools, Reception classes and childminding settings.
Find reusable number resources, practical investigation prompts, shape and pattern activities, and seasonal enhancements to use alongside the objects and materials children explore every day.
Mathematics does not belong only at a maths table. Children encounter mathematical ideas as they build, fill, arrange, share, move and play. Use this collection to support a dedicated maths area and to strengthen mathematical opportunities throughout your provision.
These twelve concept cards and six play prompts support talk about where things are. Offer a familiar toy, a basket and a low toy table, or suitable objects from your provision. Choose one or two cards that connect with children’s play. Read the words aloud and model an arrangement. Leave time for children to move objects, explore alternatives and describe their own ideas.
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These cards are intended to be used as a stimulus for making shapes with natural materials in the outdoor area.
Extensions could include asking what other shapes the children could make or what other materials could they use.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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2D shapes in the environment display/prompt posters.
Use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment, during an activity input or tuff spot activity as a stimulus.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘triangle’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Can children build on the knowledge gained by the posters and find shapes in their own environments?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Numbers 1-10 (and corresponding number of spots/buttons for 1:1 correspondence counting) on gingerbread men.
Ideas…
Create a gingerbread number line.
Place appropriate number gingerbread men for your child(ren) in a tuff spot along with Christmas themed loose parts. Can children count out the correct number of loose parts to give their gingerbread man?
Play an ordering game…Can you place the gingerbread men in the right order? Or perhaps play which gingerbread man is missing? After placing the gingerbread men in order, take one away. Can your child(ren) work out which one is missing?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Christmas themed challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern/shapes/colours on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks.
Ideal for observation skills, problem solving, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
3 x Christmas building block challenge cards included in this sample pack.
Pack of 14 x 'Christmas building block challenge cards’ available to Premium members here.
Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Numbers 0-20 on footballs for use during number work activities e.g. within a tuff spot or for a number line display.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are to be cut and folded along the middle and then laminated to make a longer lasting resource.
The children are to be encouraged to say how many dots there are straight away with no counting. They could use these independently and self-check or the cards could be held up by an adult as part of a group activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank cards at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These large sized basic 5 and 10 frames are ideal for using in conjunction with counting objects you have within your setting. Alternatively, download our ‘Five and Ten Frame - Coloured Counters’ pack to use in conjunction with these frames.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This hedgehog subitising (subitizing) game encourages children to spot the hedgehogs with the appropriate number of dots (in different formations). ‘How quickly can we match all of the hedgehogs to the correct piles of cosy leaves?’
You may want to add an element of challenge with a timer, e.g. ‘Can we get all of the hedgehogs to their safe hiding spots before the timer runs out?’ (We would advise beginning without a timer and then only adding this element to progress the game once children are becoming confident. Start with a time which is definitely achievable.)
Choose the appropriate pack for your child(ren): Subitising to 3, 5 or 10. Other 2 packs available here.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Numbers 0-20 (and corresponding number of spots for 1:1 correspondence counting) on hedgehogs. Create a hedgehog number line, or place appropriate number hedgehogs for your child(ren) in a tuff spot along with Autumn themed loose parts. Can children count out the correct number of loose parts to give their hedgehog? Or play an ordering game…Can you place the hedgehogs in the right order? Or perhaps play which hedgehog is missing? After placing the hedgehogs in order, take one away. Can your child(ren) work out which one is missing?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks.
Ideal for observation skills, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be used to aid number formation practice in wet sand. The numbers could be attempted with a finger or a stick/pencil. A stone marks the spot where the writing of each number should begin.
N.B. The pack includes two different font types for the numbers: (p2-6) & (p7-11) (But don’t forget if you choose the editable docx file, you can change the font!)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These number challenge mats can be laminated to be used repeatedly with whiteboard pens or playdough.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Firework explosion themed size ordering pictures. Intended to be cut out (and ideally laminated) for use by children in repeatable size ordering activities. If you have access to a fuzzy felt board, why not stick velcro tabs on the back so that children can move them around on the board? Alternatively use them as a cut and stick activity (to also strengthen fine motor skills) for the children to take home and discuss with their families using words such as ‘small, smaller, smallest, big, bigger, biggest’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Why not set up an invitation to play using these heart puzzles? Select those appropriate for your children (1-20 available) and allow them to match the number with the corresponding number of hearts.
Each pair has a different way of connecting as a puzzle for the children to match and so even if they haven’t learnt what the number looks like yet, but are beginning to say the numbers in order, this can be a fun way to introduce them to new challenges.
Once the puzzles are complete, why not line the numbers up in order and count together?
If your children would enjoy a further game, leave out a number and see if they can spot which one is missing from the sequence.
Puzzles could also be used as a fine motor control/counting activity if left uncut. Children could be given an appropriate number for their learning and encouraged to place objects on the hearts, counting as they go.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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PANCAKE NUMBER RECOGNITION & COUNTING MULTIMATS
These ‘Pancake’ themed multimats have various uses.
If laminated they may be used as:
• Playdough mats – make the right number of things, e.g. blueberries, strawberries for the pancake
• Loose part activity sheets – put the right number of items on the pancake
• Whiteboard Mats – Draw items on the pancake and practise Number Formation
• A large number display
We hope they help!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being buried in the sand pit/tray.
The children can then dig in the sand to find and identify the shapes on the fossils.
Includes 4 sets of 6 shapes: triangle, square, circle, rectangle/oblong, pentagon and hexagon. Having 4 sets allows for matching the same shape and counting up to 4 of the same shape. If you would like less or more sets you may of course print as appropriate.
Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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🧺Core Provision | 🌱Choose by Age | ✨Provision Enhancements |🏗️ Maths In Play Areas | 🧭Practitioner Guidance
🧺 Core Maths Continuous Provision
Reusable resources for everyday mathematical exploration
Build your provision around a manageable selection of familiar resources that children can return to, combine and use in different ways.
Pair the printables below with practical materials such as blocks, containers, counting objects, balance scales and shapes. Introduce resources thoughtfully, model possible uses and leave room for children’s own ideas.
🔢 Counting, Number & Subitising
Offer opportunities to make collections, match quantities, explore number arrangements and notice how many objects there are.
Use frames, cards and mats as practical supports rather than sheets that everyone must complete. Select a number range that allows children to explore confidently and explain what they notice.
A reusable set for exploring how the same number can look in different ways. Choose a few cards alongside real objects in the maths area, construction, small world or outdoor provision. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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A reusable set for exploring how the same number can look in different ways. Choose a few cards alongside real objects in the maths area, construction, small world or outdoor provision. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
These large sized basic 5 and 10 frames are ideal for using in conjunction with counting objects you have within your setting. Alternatively, download our ‘Five and Ten Frame - Coloured Counters’ pack to use in conjunction with these frames.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use the featured five and ten frames with movable objects to explore quantities, arrangements and different ways of making a number.
A printable alternative when suitable physical counters are unavailable:
Print the coloured counter sets you would like from within this ‘Five and Ten Frame - Coloured Counters’ pack to use in conjunction with our five and ten frames.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Collection of Subitising Cards
The turn-and-check format below is particularly useful because the cards can support child-led checking and revisiting, in addition to functioning as adult-held flashcards.
These cards are to be cut and folded along the middle and then laminated to make a longer lasting resource.
The children are to be encouraged to say how many dots there are straight away with no counting. They could use these independently and self-check or the cards could be held up by an adult as part of a group activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank cards at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are to be cut and folded along the middle and then laminated to make a longer lasting resource.
The children are to be encouraged to say how many dots there are straight away with no counting. They could use these independently and self-check or the cards could be held up by an adult as part of a group activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card template at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The children are to be encouraged to say how many dots there are straight away with no counting. They are intended to be held up by an adult as part of a group or class activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card template at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Reusable mats for matching numerals to quantities with real objects. Use these versatile number recognition and counting mats for multiple purposes. Choose the numbers that fit children’s current play and understanding; there is no need to work through every mat. Also ideal for use as playdough mats.
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Need number lines in a particular theme? Perhaps you'd like your number lines to be a different theme for each of your tables so that it's easy to tell where it came from? This pack includes 4 different themes of number line for you to choose from, (plus an extra blank set for children to create their own!) Each 0-10 or 0-20 number line (made up of boxes), spans the length of an A4 page. (Why not also check out our colour number lines?)
Pack includes 10 Number Lines (5 pages):
Blank (0-10 & 0-20)
Dinosaurs (0-10 & 0-20)
Minibeasts (0-10 & 0-20)
Pirate (0-10 & 0-20)
Wild Animals (0-10 & 0-20)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Need number lines in a particular colour? Perhaps you'd like your number lines to be a different colour for each of your tables so that it's easy to tell where it came from? This pack includes 5 different colours of number line for you to choose from. Each 0-10 or 0-20 number line (made up of boxes), spans the length of an A4 page. (Why not also check out our themed number lines?)
Pack includes 10 Number Lines (5 pages):
Black (0-10 & 0-20)
Red (0-10 & 0-20)
Green (0-10 & 0-20)
Blue (0-10 & 0-20)
Yellow (0-10 & 0-20)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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For additional counting, number & subitising resources please visit the following page:
➕🟰 Comparing, Combining & Sharing
Make two collections. Compare them. Change them. Share objects between friends or characters.
Encourage children to show their thinking with real objects and talk about what happens when quantities are combined, separated or shared. Written number sentences can be introduced when they support the child’s understanding, rather than becoming the starting point.
Practical invitations and reusable mats for comparing real collections. Use a small selection in maths provision or alongside construction, small world and role play. Primarily for Preschool and Reception, with simple supported toddler play.
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Practical invitations and reusable mats for comparing real collections. Use a small selection in maths provision or alongside construction, small world and role play. Primarily for Preschool and Reception, with simple supported toddler play.
Specific practical tools
This mat is designed to engage children in learning about the concept of addition. It serves as a bridge between physically counting objects and writing mathematical equations.
How to use…
• Adult or child can choose numbers to write in the green squares.
• Then child to count out that number of items (e.g. buttons, playdough balls, cotton reels, building blocks) for each large brown box above the corresponding green squares.
• Finally, the child can count all of the items and write the answer in the golden box.
This completes the grid with an addition number sentence, e.g. “3 plus 5 is equal to 8”.
(Buttons are shown as an example – be sure to use risk assessed age-appropriate loose parts as you see fit.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat is designed to engage children in learning about the concept of sharing quantities equally. How to use…
Adult or child can choose a number to write in the top right corner.
Then child to count that number of items (e.g. buttons, playdough balls, cotton reels, building blocks) for the top box.
Finally, the child can investigate if the number can be shared fairly to the two bottom boxes.
(Buttons are shown as an example – be sure to use risk assessed age-appropriate loose parts as you see fit.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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* Addition Mat: For children exploring combining groups; primarily Reception. Use physical objects first; do not make completing the equation compulsory.
* Can You Share It Fairly Mat: Reception, using selected quantities and adult support where needed.
Use two of our 5 or 10 frames to compare collections. [Five and Ten Frames]
Also Explore
For additional comparing, combining & sharing resources please visit the following pages:
🟥⭕Sorting, Matching & Pattern
Invite children to look closely, find similarities and differences, and arrange materials in their own ways.
Use picture cards and practical prompts to support matching, sorting and pattern-making. Encourage children to copy an arrangement, change it, continue a repeating pattern or create something for someone else to explore.
Sixteen practical invitations for Preschool and Reception maths provision. Children choose suitable objects, explore a rule and show what happens next. Offer one or two cards alongside play, with an adult reading the prompts when useful.
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Sixteen practical invitations for Preschool and Reception maths provision. Children choose suitable objects, explore a rule and show what happens next. Offer one or two cards alongside play, with an adult reading the prompts when useful.
These cards connect mathematical possibilities across collections, construction, patterns and pretend play. Children choose materials, methods and outcomes. Place one or two relevant cards beside familiar provision, read them together if helpful and allow children to adapt the invitation or follow an idea of their own.
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These cards connect mathematical possibilities across collections, construction, patterns and pretend play. Children choose materials, methods and outcomes. Place one or two relevant cards beside familiar provision, read them together if helpful and allow children to adapt the invitation or follow an idea of their own.
Featured below
* Outdoor Maths - Pattern Cards: Preschool & Reception. Pair with suitable natural materials.
* 2D Shapes in the Environment - Sorting Picture Game: Preschool & Reception. A reusable picture-sorting option alongside real-object exploration.
* Building Blocks Pattern Cards: Preschool & Reception. Pair with suitable building bricks/blocks to reproduce colour patterns. Selected simple arrangements can also support adult-guided toddler play.
* Pattern Match Puzzles Game: Preschool & Reception. Visual pattern matching and puzzle-solving.
These cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being given as a pattern making challenge in the outdoor area.
Encourage the children to look at the card patterns and try to recreate them using real life elements that are found or provided.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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2D shape sorting game. Match the shaped objects to the correct shape name! Includes circles, triangles, squares and rectangles.
Why not expand the game to place ‘real world’ objects on the correct shape card. Perhaps some real world objects are made up of more than one shape? You may like to add this investigation as an extension to the game provided.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘triangle’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks. Ideal for observation skills, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Pattern matching cards with a variety of edges to aid self-correcting by the children. Encourages close observation of shapes and colours.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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For additional sorting, matching & pattern resources please visit the following pages:
↗️ Shape, Space & Position
Explore what shapes can do, not only what they are called.
Provide opportunities to fit pieces together, build, turn, arrange and describe. Combine the resources below with construction materials, real objects and movement, helping children investigate spaces and explain where things are.
Sixteen practical invitations for fitting, combining, moving and representing shapes. Use with blocks, flat tiles, loose parts, cardboard shapes and everyday objects in maths, construction, creative play, small world or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Sixteen practical invitations for fitting, combining, moving and representing shapes. Use with blocks, flat tiles, loose parts, cardboard shapes and everyday objects in maths, construction, creative play, small world or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
Featured below
* Exploring Shape – Activity Inspiration Cards: Preschool & Reception. Adult-selected invitations for practical exploration.
* 2D Shapes – Tangram Pieces: Preschool & Reception. Use for making and combining shapes, with support as needed.
* Positional Language Cards: Toddlers, Preschool & Reception, selecting vocabulary and experiences appropriately.
* Shape Describing Words – Cards: Place near real objects or construction materials for adult modelling and discussion.
* Shape – Scavenger Hunt Challenge Cards: Preschool & Reception. Extend exploration beyond the maths area.
* 2D and 3D Shapes in the Environment – Posters: Preschool & Reception. Place near real objects for adult modelling and discussion.
2D shapes in the environment display/prompt posters.
Use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment, during an activity input or tuff spot activity as a stimulus.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘triangle’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Can children build on the knowledge gained by the posters and find shapes in their own environments?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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3D shapes in the environment display/prompt posters.
Use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment, during an activity input or tuff spot activity as a stimulus.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘sphere’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Can children build on the knowledge gained by the posters and find shapes in their own environments?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This set of 16 ‘Exploring Shape: Activity Inspiration Cards’ is intended to give quick inspiration for fun and effective activities to support learning about shape in the early years.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These tangram pieces can be cut out and laminated before being used to make shape pictures.
The children can use these shapes to make their own pictures without overlapping the pieces.
Included are a set of colour tangrams and a set of outline tangrams for colouring in.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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12 shape description word cards: round, spiky, smooth, bumpy, pointy, long, flat, straight, curved, symmetrical, spiral and thin.
Use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment, during an activity input or tuff spot activity as a stimulus, e.g. collect all the smooth objects you can find!
Can children build on the knowledge gained by these word cards and find ‘real world’ items that fit these descriptive words in their own environments?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This set of ‘Scavenger Hunt Challenge Cards’ is intended to help children to think about real world shapes, to engage their senses and appreciate the environment around them.
Children are encouraged to find e.g. ‘Something spiky’ or ‘Something in the shape of a cylinder’. 21 cards included in pack, plus an additional blank card for your own ideas.
Designed to inspire children to investigate the shapes everywhere. Why not use these cards as inspiration on an out and about ‘Shape Walk’?…or in a ‘Shape Investigation’ area in your setting?
Alternatively, use as part of an interactive display area to enrich your setting environment or as the stimulus of a tuff spot activity.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These twelve concept cards and six play prompts support talk about where things are. Offer a familiar toy, a basket and a low toy table, or suitable objects from your provision. Choose one or two cards that connect with children’s play. Read the words aloud and model an arrangement. Leave time for children to move objects, explore alternatives and describe their own ideas.
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Also Explore
For additional shape, space & position resources please visit the following pages:
📏 Measure & Compare
Which container holds more? Which tower is taller? How could we find out?
Support practical comparisons through filling, pouring, building, balancing and ordering. Use the cards and visual prompts alongside real materials so children can investigate their ideas and check what happens.
Fourteen practical invitations for exploring length, height, mass and capacity with real resources. Use them in maths provision, construction, role play, malleable play or a water tray. Offer a small selection and follow children’s questions.
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Fourteen practical invitations for exploring length, height, mass and capacity with real resources. Use them in maths provision, construction, role play, malleable play or a water tray. Offer a small selection and follow children’s questions.
Featured below
* Capacity Challenge A5 Cards: Reception. Place beside water-play containers and pouring equipment. (* Capacity Challenge Display A4 Cards: An alternative display size.)
* Capacity Posters & Cards: Select concepts to match children’s experience; for toddlers, begin with meaningful filling and emptying.
* Length Ordering Activity Cards – Long & Short: Preschool & Reception. Add actual objects to compare alongside the pictures.
* Height Ordering Activity Cards – Tall & Short: Preschool & Reception. Cross-link to construction provision.
* Size, Weight, Length & Height Comparison Posters: Adult language support near the relevant practical materials.
* Weight Comparison Activity: Preschool & Reception. Use with a real balance and objects that children can test.
The cards can be used as part of a small display near the water area or as a direct challenge to be used by the children when playing in the water tray.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement, Capacity and Volume
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The cards can be used as part of a display near the water area or as a direct challenge to be used by the children when playing in the water tray.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement, Capacity and Volume
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Inspire your children to consider the concept of capacity by displaying these posters within your setting. The posters demonstrate ‘full’, ‘empty’, ‘half-full’, ‘half-empty’ and also move onto include ‘nearly empty’ and ‘nearly full’. These posters can serve as a great stimulus for discussion and prompts during filling and emptying activities such as water/sand play and use of non standard measures such as filling containers with blocks to varying levels.
Extend discussions further for older children by challenging them to e.g. fill a container half full with building bricks. How many bricks did you need to half-fill the container? How many more do you think you will need to fill it completely? How many bricks will that be altogether? (Note that this line of questioning also involves ‘estimating’ and the concept of ‘doubling’.)
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement, Capacity and Volume
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Inspire your children to consider the concepts big/small, heavy/light, long/short and tall/short by displaying these posters within your setting. The concepts are subjective and require context to make judgements, however these posters can serve as a stimulus for discussion.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Length ordering activity cards. Give your children an appropriate selection of cards to order. Develop from just 2 cards within each theme ‘long’ and ‘short to a adding a third to increase the language explored such as ‘longer’, ‘shorter’, ‘longest’, ‘shortest’.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Height ordering activity cards. Give your children an appropriate selection of cards to order. Develop from just 2 cards within each theme ‘tall’ and ‘short to a adding a third to increase the language explored such as ‘taller’, ‘shorter’, ‘tallest’, ‘shortest’.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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We have created this game to inspire conversations about the concept of weight. Children can place a card in one of the boxes and then attempt to place an appropriate card (in comparison to the first) in the other box. E.g. they may select an object they think of as ‘heavy’ in the first box and then find a card showing an object they think is ‘lighter’ than that object in the second box. If you have scales in your setting, why not develop this activity further? Perhaps you could begin weighing objects in your setting and draw them into the boxes? Display the finished products as a reminder for the concept or send the posters home to discuss further/allow the child to ’teach’ family members which will further consolidate the concept in a child’s mind.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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For additional measure & compare resources please visit the following pages:
✏️ Mathematical Mark-Making & Recording
Make space for children to record an idea when it matters to their play.
A drawing, collection of marks, map or numeral might help a child remember a quantity, explain an arrangement or show a friend where something is hidden. Offer paper and writing tools alongside practical resources, without requiring a written record of every activity.
Six open-ended recording prompts for children to capture maths that matters in their play. Use alongside real objects, games and investigations, particularly in Reception. Children choose what to record and how to show it.
Offer a reason to record
A child may want to remember a collection, keep a score, save a pattern before tidying up or share a discovery. Offer a slip at that moment: “Would you like a way to remember this?” Put a few choices beside pencils and clipboards. Children can also choose plain paper or continue their play without recording.
Welcome children’s own marks
Drawings, dots, lines, symbols, numerals and words can all carry mathematical meaning. Ask the child what their marks mean before interpreting them. Read the heading aloud if needed. Offer numeral references when useful, while keeping attention on the mathematical idea rather than neatness or correct formation.
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Six open-ended recording prompts for children to capture maths that matters in their play. Use alongside real objects, games and investigations, particularly in Reception. Children choose what to record and how to show it.
These maps have blank centres for children to draw the sand tray and mark where they have hidden their treasure.
They can then challenge a friend to find the treasure using the map to guide them!
You may also like o encourage the use of positional language such as next to, under, on top, beside, left, right, behind, etc.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be used to aid number formation practice in wet sand. The numbers could be attempted with a finger or a stick/pencil. A stone marks the spot where the writing of each number should begin.
N.B. The pack includes two different font types for the numbers: (p2-6) & (p7-11) (But don’t forget if you choose the editable docx file, you can change the font!)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Featured
* Sand Play – Sand Treasure Map: Preschool & Reception. A purposeful reason to represent position and space.
* Sand Play – Number Writing Cards: Children interested in forming numerals; an optional sensory application.
2D shapes in the environment checklist.
Designed to inspire children to investigate the 2D shapes everywhere. Why not use it o an out and about ‘Shape Walk’?…or in a ‘Shape Investigation’ area in your setting?
Alternatively, use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment or as the stimulus of a tuff spot activity.
Two sheets included within pack. The first sheet has space for one tick (to be marked once the appropriate shape has been found in the environment) and an additional sheet has been provided to allow up to 3 ticks per shape.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘triangle’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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3D shapes in the environment checklist.
Designed to inspire children to investigate the 3D shapes everywhere. Why not use it on an out and about ‘Shape Walk’?…or in a ‘Shape Investigation’ area in your setting?
Alternatively, use as part of a display area to enrich your setting environment or as the stimulus of a tuff spot activity.
Two sheets included within pack. The first sheet has space for one tick (to be marked once the appropriate shape has been found in the environment) and an additional sheet has been provided to allow up to 3 ticks per shape.
Great for giving children a broader understanding of what e.g. a ‘cube’ is and how the mathematical shape translates to objects around us in the ‘real world’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Featured
* 2D and 3D Shapes in the Environment – Checklists: Optional recording during a shape investigation.
Organising your maths provision?
Explore our Labelling packs below.
A calm, practical–experiential labelling system for baby rooms, organised around the resources, routines and experiences that shape babies’ everyday learning.
30 purpose-led labels | 5 provision sections | 10printable pages
Contents
- Sensory & Exploration
Touch, sound, light and self-recognition | 6 labels
- Movement & Physical Development
Rolling, posting, reaching and building | 6 labels
- Communication & Belonging
Books, puppets, family images and comfort | 6 labels
- Care & Daily Life
Feeding, resting, washing and imitation | 6 labels
- Outdoor Babies
Natural materials, water, movement and large tools | 6 labels
Pedagogy in brief
These labels are designed around care as curriculum. They name what babies can experience — touching, moving, communicating, settling and exploring — rather than creating a simple inventory of toys. Concrete, uncluttered imagery supports recognition, while the short second line makes the learning or care purpose visible to adults. The calm, consistent system supports responsive interaction and vocabulary in context without over-formalising baby play.
Using this file
- Pages 2–11 are the printable label sheets.
- Print at 100% scale.
- Text and illustrations can be edited in Word.
- Select only resources suited to the individual child and use appropriate supervision, hygiene procedures and setting risk assessments.
Both editable docx file and pdf files available. To change wording or font on a label to suit your particular setting, select the ‘DOCX’ option below.
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A calm, action-led labelling system for toddler provision. Each card pairs a clear resource name with a short purpose line to support recognition, language, independence and purposeful play.
36 purpose-led labels | 6 provision sections | 12 printable pages
Contents
- Construction & Connecting
Building, joining, carrying and enclosure | 6 labels
- Water, Mud & Sensory
Pouring, flow, transfer, texture and mixing | 6 labels
- Mark Making & Creative Tools
Gripping, large movement and first marks | 6 labels
- Small World & Journeys
Naming, routes and beginning simple stories | 6 labels
- Home, Caring & Pretend
Imitation, routines, belonging and care | 6 labels
- Music & Movement
Sound, rhythm, action and early participation | 6 labels
Pedagogy in brief
The pack reflects how toddlers learn through action, repeated schemas, imitation, sensory exploration and emerging symbolic play. Large grouped forms, clear movement cues and limited detail support recognition without visual clutter. Each short purpose line gives adults useful language for describing what the child is doing, while keeping the child-facing resource name concrete and accessible.
Using this file
- Pages 2–13 are the printable label sheets.
- Print at 100% scale.
- Text and illustrations can be edited in Word.
- Place labels at child height and match them to the resources available.
- Select only developmentally suitable resources and follow your setting’s supervision, hygiene and risk-assessment procedures.
Both editable docx file and pdf files available. To change wording or font on a label to suit your particular setting, select the ‘DOCX’ option below.
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A calm, practical dual-line labelling system for Preschool provision. Each card pairs clear child-facing text with a concise adult-facing curriculum intention.
48 purpose-led labels | 8 provision sections | 16 printable pages
Contents
- Mark-Making & Early Writing
Drawing, designing, rehearsal, fine-motor control and joining | 6 labels
- Sounds, Symbols & Stories
Letters, sound play, rhyme, print, puppets and sequencing | 6 labels
- Maths & Thinking
Sorting, counting, comparing, pattern, subitising and representation | 6 labels
- Construction
Balance, flow, movement, joining, planning and enclosure | 6 labels
- Small World & Story Play
Characters, journeys, habitats, homes, categories and community | 6 labels
- Role Play
Identity, transporting, messages, routines, care and responsibility | 6 labels
- Creative Arts
Colour, 3D form, collage, recycling, movement and rhythm | 6 labels
- Sensory & Investigation
Sand, water, absorbency, coverage, melting and magnets | 6 labels
Pedagogy in brief
The pack reflects the Preschool focus on representation and intention: children recognise what resources are for, choose them purposefully and use them to develop ideas. Calm, simplified illustrations and child-facing text support environmental print, vocabulary, independence and symbolic thinking. The quieter adult-facing line makes curriculum intent visible without fixing a single outcome. Used flexibly, the cards also support communication, collaboration and access for children with SEND or EAL.
Using this file
- Pages 2-17 are the printable label sheets.
- Print at 100% scale.
- Text and illustrations can be edited in Word.
- Place labels at child height beside the corresponding resources.
- Select age-appropriate materials and use suitable supervision and setting risk assessments; the labels should support choice and curriculum talk without limiting open-ended use.
Both editable docx file and pdf files available. To change wording or font on a label to suit your particular setting, select the ‘DOCX’ option below.
COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE IMAGES, FILES & RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. IN DOWNLOADING ANY OF THESE RESOURCES YOU ARE ISSUED A SINGLE LICENCE FOR YOUR OWN USE AND THE RIGHT TO GRANT A LIMITED LICENCE TO YOUR STUDENTS TO USE THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS PART OF YOUR TEACHING AND THEIR OWN USE.
OUR RESOURCES (including the images within them), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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A calm, practical dual-line labelling system for Reception provision. Each card pairs a clear child-facing resource name with a concise adult-facing curriculum intention.
42 purpose-led labels | 7 provision sections | 14 printable pages
Contents
- Writing Area
Tools, messages, planning, patterns and letter formation | 6 labels
- Phonics
Sounds, graphemes, blending, word building and sorting | 6 labels
- Maths Provision
Counting, subitising, measure, shape and pattern | 6 labels
- Small World & Role Play
People, communities, stories and imagined worlds | 6 labels
- Construction
Designing, joining, testing, balance and measure | 6 labels
- Creative / Art
Colour, texture, sculpture, printing and music | 6 labels
- Outdoor Learning
Movement, transporting, water, mud, gardening and dens | 6 labels
Pedagogy in brief
The pack reflects the Reception progression: plan, test and improve. Recognisable illustrations and clear resource names support environmental print, vocabulary, independence and purposeful choice. The quieter adult-facing line makes curriculum intent visible across continuous provision and connects play with learning without prescribing a single outcome. Used flexibly, the cards also support communication, collaboration and access for children with SEND or EAL.
Using this file
- Pages 2-15 are the printable label sheets.
- Print at 100% scale.
- Text and illustrations can be edited in Word.
- Place labels at child height beside the corresponding resources.
- Use appropriate supervision and setting risk assessments; the labels should support choice and curriculum talk without limiting open-ended use.
Both editable docx file and pdf files available. To change wording or font on a label to suit your particular setting, select the ‘DOCX’ option below.
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A calm, practical dual-line labelling system for flexible mixed-age provision. Each card pairs a clear resource name with a concise adult-facing learning intention.
48 purpose-led labels | 8 provision sections | 16 printable pages
Contents
- Books, Talk & Music
Books, rhyme, conversation, sound, stories and familiar people | 6 labels
- Mark-Making & Creative Making
Drawing, paper, paint, dough, collage and open-ended materials | 6 labels
- Maths, Puzzles & Thinking
Puzzles, sorting, counting, shape, measure and shared games | 6 labels
- Building, Connecting & Schemas
Blocks, joining, loose parts, ramps, posting and enclosures | 6 labels
- Small World & Imaginative Play
People, animals, journeys, caring play, roles and home life | 6 labels
- Sensory, Water & Discovery
Textures, pouring, sand, mud, light, colour and nature | 6 labels
- Outdoor & Physical Play
Balls, wheeled play, digging, growing, climbing and movement | 6 labels
- Care, Comfort & Belongings
Belongings, personal care, clothing, comfort, rest and outdoor wear | 6 labels
Pedagogy in brief
The pack reflects the mixed-age nature of childminding: babies, toddlers and older children may share a flexible, home-from-home environment while engaging with resources in different ways. Warm, recognisable illustrations and clear resource names support communication, belonging and growing independence. The quieter adult-facing line makes learning potential visible without fixing one age, outcome or way to play. Used flexibly, the cards support responsive care, open-ended provision and inclusive access for children with SEND or EAL.
Using this file
- Pages 2-17 are the printable label sheets.
- Print at 100% scale.
- Text and illustrations can be edited in Word.
- Choose only the labels that suit your home and current group.
- Place labels where children can see and use them, with age-appropriate supervision and risk assessment; the labels are a flexible support, not a prescribed room list.
Both editable docx file and pdf files available. To change wording or font on a label to suit your particular setting, select the ‘DOCX’ option below.
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Also Explore
For additional mathematical mark-making & recording resources please visit the following pages:
💬 Supporting Mathematical Talk
Twelve reusable cards for mathematical conversations during play: ten question prompts and two ways to begin sharing an idea. Use with real objects in maths provision, construction, role play, creative play or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Twelve reusable cards for mathematical conversations during play: ten question prompts and two ways to begin sharing an idea. Use with real objects in maths provision, construction, role play, creative play or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
Twelve illustrated cards make mathematical words visible through comparisons, positions and a short sequence. Use them beside real objects in Preschool and Reception provision. Each card offers a spoken model and an invitation to explore.
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Twelve illustrated cards make mathematical words visible through comparisons, positions and a short sequence. Use them beside real objects in Preschool and Reception provision. Each card offers a spoken model and an invitation to explore.
🌱 Choose Maths Provision by Age
Children explore mathematical ideas in different ways and at different times. Use these age ranges as starting points, then adapt materials, language, number ranges and adult support to the children using your provision.
Babies: 0–18 months | Toddlers: 18–36 months | Preschool: 3–4 years | Reception: 4–5 years
🍼 Babies: 0–18 months
Early mathematical exploration begins through relationships, movement and handling objects. Offer opportunities to explore containers, spaces, fitting, nesting and repeated actions.
For babies, the resources here are primarily prompts for adults, rather than printed activities for children to complete.
Featured Baby Provision
These cards help adults notice early mathematical possibilities in babies’ play: space, size, amount, movement and repetition. Share a brief, enjoyable moment in a familiar relationship. Babies do not need to recognise numerals, answer questions or complete an activity. The illustrations suggest possibilities, rather than a model to copy.
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Treasure baskets offer varied everyday objects for children to choose and investigate. These cards help adults notice possible mathematical connections within that exploration. Use one card as a quiet reminder; they are not twelve activities to present, complete or work through in order.
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Additional Baby Resources - Adult-Facing Support
🚼 Toddlers: 18–36 months
Support mathematical discovery through filling and emptying, matching, grouping, building and everyday routines.
Use real objects and responsive language. A few carefully chosen pictures or prompts can support the experience, but practical exploration remains central.
Featured Toddler Provision
Use these quick cards alongside children in everyday provision. The Mathematics Seeds Progression Pack gives the wider intent, progression and fuller activity invitations; this set offers resources, responsive actions and useful language for the moment. Use the two packs together without turning play into a sequence of tasks.
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Treasure baskets offer varied everyday objects for children to choose and investigate. These cards help adults notice possible mathematical connections within that exploration. Use one card as a quiet reminder; they are not twelve activities to present, complete or work through in order.
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A reusable set for exploring how the same number can look in different ways. Choose a few cards alongside real objects in the maths area, construction, small world or outdoor provision. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Practical invitations and reusable mats for comparing real collections. Use a small selection in maths provision or alongside construction, small world and role play. Primarily for Preschool and Reception, with simple supported toddler play.
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Additional Toddler Resources - Adult-Facing Support & Provision
selected Positional Language Cards
selected Capacity Posters & Cards alongside filling and emptying
Mathematics Seeds Progression Pack in the guidance section below.
🎨 Preschool: 3–4 years
Offer repeated opportunities to explore small quantities, count meaningful collections, compare, sort, make patterns and investigate shapes.
Choose accessible resources that children can handle and revisit, with adults joining play to model language and extend an idea.
Featured Preschool Provision
A reusable set for exploring how the same number can look in different ways. Choose a few cards alongside real objects in the maths area, construction, small world or outdoor provision. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Practical invitations and reusable mats for comparing real collections. Use a small selection in maths provision or alongside construction, small world and role play. Primarily for Preschool and Reception, with simple supported toddler play.
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Six open-ended recording prompts for children to capture maths that matters in their play. Use alongside real objects, games and investigations, particularly in Reception. Children choose what to record and how to show it.
Offer a reason to record
A child may want to remember a collection, keep a score, save a pattern before tidying up or share a discovery. Offer a slip at that moment: “Would you like a way to remember this?” Put a few choices beside pencils and clipboards. Children can also choose plain paper or continue their play without recording.
Welcome children’s own marks
Drawings, dots, lines, symbols, numerals and words can all carry mathematical meaning. Ask the child what their marks mean before interpreting them. Read the heading aloud if needed. Offer numeral references when useful, while keeping attention on the mathematical idea rather than neatness or correct formation.
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Fourteen practical invitations for exploring length, height, mass and capacity with real resources. Use them in maths provision, construction, role play, malleable play or a water tray. Offer a small selection and follow children’s questions.
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Sixteen practical invitations for fitting, combining, moving and representing shapes. Use with blocks, flat tiles, loose parts, cardboard shapes and everyday objects in maths, construction, creative play, small world or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Sixteen practical invitations for Preschool and Reception maths provision. Children choose suitable objects, explore a rule and show what happens next. Offer one or two cards alongside play, with an adult reading the prompts when useful.
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These cards connect mathematical possibilities across collections, construction, patterns and pretend play. Children choose materials, methods and outcomes. Place one or two relevant cards beside familiar provision, read them together if helpful and allow children to adapt the invitation or follow an idea of their own.
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Twelve reusable cards for mathematical conversations during play: ten question prompts and two ways to begin sharing an idea. Use with real objects in maths provision, construction, role play, creative play or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Twelve illustrated cards make mathematical words visible through comparisons, positions and a short sequence. Use them beside real objects in Preschool and Reception provision. Each card offers a spoken model and an invitation to explore.
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Additional Preschool Resources - Adult-Facing Support & Provision
selected Subitising Turn and Check Cards
Preschool Maths Small-Group Session Bank (3–4 Years) in the guidance section below.
Also Explore:
🧺 Core Maths Continuous Provision: Counting, Number & Subitising | Comparing, Combining & Sharing | Sorting, Matching & Pattern | Shape, Space & Position | Measure & Compare | Mathematical Mark-Making & Recording | Support Mathematical Talk
✨ Maths Provision Enhancements: Autumn Maths Provision | Winter Maths Provision | Spring Maths Provision | Summer & Beach Maths Provision | Maths Through Stories & Children’s Interests
Practitioner Guidance
🎓 Reception: 4–5 years
Provide opportunities to apply and deepen mathematical learning through number arrangements, composition, comparison, pattern, shape and practical problems.
Increase the depth of exploration, not simply the size of the numbers. Encourage children to show, explain and check their thinking.
Featured Reception Provision
A reusable set for exploring how the same number can look in different ways. Choose a few cards alongside real objects in the maths area, construction, small world or outdoor provision. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Practical invitations and reusable mats for comparing real collections. Use a small selection in maths provision or alongside construction, small world and role play. Primarily for Preschool and Reception, with simple supported toddler play.
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Six open-ended recording prompts for children to capture maths that matters in their play. Use alongside real objects, games and investigations, particularly in Reception. Children choose what to record and how to show it.
Offer a reason to record
A child may want to remember a collection, keep a score, save a pattern before tidying up or share a discovery. Offer a slip at that moment: “Would you like a way to remember this?” Put a few choices beside pencils and clipboards. Children can also choose plain paper or continue their play without recording.
Welcome children’s own marks
Drawings, dots, lines, symbols, numerals and words can all carry mathematical meaning. Ask the child what their marks mean before interpreting them. Read the heading aloud if needed. Offer numeral references when useful, while keeping attention on the mathematical idea rather than neatness or correct formation.
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Fourteen practical invitations for exploring length, height, mass and capacity with real resources. Use them in maths provision, construction, role play, malleable play or a water tray. Offer a small selection and follow children’s questions.
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Sixteen practical invitations for fitting, combining, moving and representing shapes. Use with blocks, flat tiles, loose parts, cardboard shapes and everyday objects in maths, construction, creative play, small world or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Sixteen practical invitations for Preschool and Reception maths provision. Children choose suitable objects, explore a rule and show what happens next. Offer one or two cards alongside play, with an adult reading the prompts when useful.
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These cards connect mathematical possibilities across collections, construction, patterns and pretend play. Children choose materials, methods and outcomes. Place one or two relevant cards beside familiar provision, read them together if helpful and allow children to adapt the invitation or follow an idea of their own.
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Twelve reusable cards for mathematical conversations during play: ten question prompts and two ways to begin sharing an idea. Use with real objects in maths provision, construction, role play, creative play or outdoors. Primarily for Preschool and Reception.
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Twelve illustrated cards make mathematical words visible through comparisons, positions and a short sequence. Use them beside real objects in Preschool and Reception provision. Each card offers a spoken model and an invitation to explore.
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Additional Reception Resources - Adult-Facing Support & Provision
selected Addition Mat activities.
Reception Maths Teaching Framework | 4-5 Years in the guidance section below.
Also Explore:
🧺 Core Maths Continuous Provision: Counting, Number & Subitising | Comparing, Combining & Sharing | Sorting, Matching & Pattern | Shape, Space & Position | Measure & Compare | Mathematical Mark-Making & Recording | Support Mathematical Talk
✨ Maths Provision Enhancements: Autumn Maths Provision | Winter Maths Provision | Spring Maths Provision | Summer & Beach Maths Provision | Maths Through Stories & Children’s Interests
Practitioner Guidance
Safety Note:
Check the suitability and safety of all practical materials, especially where children mouth objects. Adapt access and supervision to individual children and your setting’s risk assessments.
✨ Maths Provision Enhancements
Fresh invitations alongside familiar resources
Use seasonal materials, favourite stories and children’s interests to introduce a new mathematical possibility.
An enhancement might be a small collection of objects, a picture prompt, a practical problem or a new context for a familiar resource. Choose additions with a clear purpose, while keeping useful core materials available.
You do not need to change the whole maths area or provide a new printable every week.
Autumn Maths Provision | Winter Maths Provision | Spring Maths Provision | Summer & Beach Maths Provision | Maths Through Stories & Children’s Interests
🍂 Autumn Maths Provision
Explore autumn collections through counting, comparing, arranging and noticing.
Pair selected printables with suitable seasonal materials to investigate quantities, size, pattern and shape. Follow children’s observations and use the resources as invitations to explore, rather than a sequence of tasks to finish.
Thirty practical invitations for exploring number composition, comparison, pattern, shape, spatial reasoning and measure. Offer real objects alongside a card and follow the child’s ideas. Five cards focus on number and composition; the other twenty-five broaden the maths available in autumn provision.
Using the cards
Choose one or two cards to place with suitable materials. Read the prompt aloud when helpful. “Wonder” offers an optional question; model the vocabulary naturally through talk, gestures or signs. Children can show their thinking by moving objects, pointing, describing, drawing or directing an adult. They do not need to read, record an answer or complete every card.
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Introduce practical autumn maths invitations exploring number, comparison, pattern, shape and measure. Choose a prompt and investigate together.
Preschool & Reception, with adult-selected prompts.
Featured below
* Autumn Number Subitising Posters / Mats 1–6: Select representations and quantities appropriately.
* Autumn Hedgehog Subitising 1–3: An accessible small-quantity option.
* Autumn Hedgehog Subitising 1–5: A related option for children exploring a wider range.
* Autumn Size Ordering Cards: Selected comparisons for Toddlers, Preschool & Reception.
* Autumn Leaf Symmetry: A mathematical and creative enhancement for Preschool & Reception.
Autumn themed subitising posters which may also be used as mats. Each poster (1-6) displays the numeral on a central tree. Surrounding the tree are sycamore seeds, conkers, a hedgehog with dots and a dice which each subitise the number in different ways. In the top left corner we have also featured an autumn leaf with the number written in word form.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This hedgehog subitising (subitizing) game encourages children to spot the hedgehogs with the appropriate number of dots (in different formations). ‘How quickly can we match all of the hedgehogs to the correct piles of cosy leaves?’
You may want to add an element of challenge with a timer, e.g. ‘Can we get all of the hedgehogs to their safe hiding spots before the timer runs out?’ (We would advise beginning without a timer and then only adding this element to progress the game once children are becoming confident. Start with a time which is definitely achievable.)
Choose the appropriate pack for your child(ren): Subitising to 3, 5 or 10. Other 2 packs available here.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This hedgehog subitising (subitizing) game encourages children to spot the hedgehogs with the appropriate number of dots (in different formations). ‘How quickly can we match all of the hedgehogs to the correct piles of cosy leaves?’
You may want to add an element of challenge with a timer, e.g. ‘Can we get all of the hedgehogs to their safe hiding spots before the timer runs out?’ (We would advise beginning without a timer and then only adding this element to progress the game once children are becoming confident. Start with a time which is definitely achievable.)
Choose the appropriate pack for your child(ren): Subitising to 3, 5 or 10. Other 2 packs available here.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Autumn themed size ordering pictures. Intended to be cut out (and ideally laminated) for use by children in repeatable size ordering activities. If you have access to a fuzzy felt board, why not stick velcro tabs on the back so that children can move them around on the board? Alternatively use them as a cut and stick activity (to also strengthen fine motor skills) for the children to take home and discuss with their families using words such as ‘small, smaller, smallest, big, bigger, biggest’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be used as a stimulus for making numbers with natural materials in the outdoor area.
It is not intended for these representations to be copied exactly; any combination of natural resources will do!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat is intended to be used as a stimulus for making numbers with natural materials in the outdoor area.
It is not intended for these representations to be copied exactly; any combination of natural resources will do!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Have great fun with your children collecting Autumn objects. Why not use these challenge cards whilst out and about in the Autumn? Can you find the right number of Autumn items?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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❄️ Winter Maths Provision
Bring a winter context to familiar mathematical exploration with snowball quantities, number arrangements and practical counting materials.
Keep the underlying maths accessible, using selected cards and quantities alongside children’s play.
Featured Provision
Suggested starting points for, with quantities selected for the children.
These cards are intended to be used as a stimulus for making numbers with materials in the outdoor area.
It is not intended for these representations to be copied exactly; any combination of resources will do!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This number mat is intended to be used as a stimulus for making numbers with materials in the outdoor area.
It is not intended for these representations to be copied exactly; any combination of resources will do!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Winter themed subitising posters which may also be used as mats. Each poster (1-6) displays the numeral on a central snowy tree. Surrounding the tree are pine cones, footprints in the snow, robins and a dice which each subitise the number in different ways. In the top left corner we have also featured a sprig of holly with the number written in word form.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The children are to be encouraged to say how many snowflakes there are straight away with no counting. They are intended to be held up by an adult as part of a group or class activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card template at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are to be cut and folded along the middle and then laminated to make a longer lasting resource.
The children are to be encouraged to say how many snowflakes there are straight away with no counting. They could use these independently and self-check or the cards could be held up by an adult as part of a group activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This sequencing card set is designed to help Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children understand the fascinating behaviours of a dormouse, focusing on hibernation.
There are three clear, engaging images that provide an excellent starting point for developing children's sequencing skills, oral language, and scientific understanding.
The Images:
• Image 1: A dormouse gathering materials to build its hibernaculum (winter nest).
• Image 2: A dormouse hibernating deeply within its cosy hibernaculum.
• Image 3: A dormouse emerging from its hibernaculum in the spring, ready to explore.
Contents of pack:
p2-3 High-Impact Questions & Vocabulary (Toddler | Preschool | Reception) + Extension Activities
p4-5 A5 sized image cards
p6 A6 sized image cards
p7-9 A4 sized image cards
COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE IMAGES, FILES & RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. IN DOWNLOADING ANY OF THESE RESOURCES YOU ARE ISSUED A SINGLE LICENCE FOR YOUR OWN USE AND THE RIGHT TO GRANT A LIMITED LICENCE TO YOUR STUDENTS TO USE THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS PART OF YOUR TEACHING AND THEIR OWN USE.
OUR RESOURCES (including the images within them), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Perfect as part of a Winter topic. These Winter Snowflake Number cards can be displayed on the wall or printed smaller to use as flash cards. Why not allow children to practise forming the numbers with a whiteboard pen on laminated copies?…Or even use playdough to try moulding the number shapes?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Help your robin find the seeds in the birdfeeder to help him through the winter with this fun and engaging Letters and Sounds game.
Designed as part of the ‘Helping Wildlife in Winter’ set.
Two different boards to choose from - one for Phase 2 Sounds and another for Phase 3 Sounds. Dice required. Children choose a robin to place at the start, roll the dice and move the appropriate number of sound squares towards the birdfeeder. When they land on a sound square they can practise saying the sound. Have fun!
More resources regarding ‘Helping Wildlife in Winter’ HERE.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Have great fun with your children whilst all acting out Winter sights with this set of 8 Winter Activity Challenge cards. Perhaps children could stand in a circle around the pile of cards and take turns to pick one for everyone to do. Cards could equally be shrunk down and placed on a key ring to take out on adventures or featured on an indoor or outdoor display board and referred to with everyone carrying out the activity on floor space in front. Once the children get to know the cards they will be able to relate the action to the picture without necessarily needing the card read to them...For example an adult may be able to simply hold up a card and everyone will be able to do the activity together! For those children who are exceptionally engaged, these cards explored in sequence could even be set to music as a dance performance! Great for physical development, descriptive language, understanding the world and turn taking.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Ten pairs of gloves for children to match by colour. Can be used as a part of a memory game or just as a straight pair match game to reinforce knowledge of colours; “Find the red gloves”.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Fun Winter themed bingo style game. Ideal for learning colours and winter clothing. Children develop observation, memory and matching skills. Instructions for how to play game on the first page. Items of clothing cards come with tab ideal for folding before lamination so that images on cards can not be seen when placed upside down.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 10 Winter puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise colours and patterns and solve problems involving observational skills. Also perfect for Winter vocab learning! (Includes woolly hat, robin, sled/sledge, glove, snowflake, frosty leaves, wellies/wellington boots, holly, snowman and scarf.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Winter themed ‘Big’ and ‘Small’ concept colouring sheets. Ideal for provoking communication and language alongside physical development. (Includes woolly hat, robin, sled/sledge, gloves, wellies/wellington boots, holly, winter coat and scarf.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Footprint matching puzzles with self-checking puzzle edges to encourage independence. Which animal’s footprints might you see during the Winter? Includes six animals; Deer, Dog, Squirrel, Fox, Badger and Cat.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Includes two versions of ‘5’ formation. Primarily designed for use as a mat to be laminated and used time and time again with whiteboard pens for children to practise their number formation, this resource has many uses. It could be used by a child once and taken home as a consolidation of their learning. It could be used as part of a Winter and/or Maths display. Place it in a learning area where children may be writing numbers as a reminder of how to form numbers. Or alternatively use it as a counting playdough/loose parts mat.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you make the correct number of snowballs for your playdough mat? Can you make the shape of the number? Great for motor skills, creativity (making simple representations of objects), number recognition and 1:1 correspondence counting!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Cut along the vertical lines on these Winter themed number slice picture puzzles and allow your children to order the numbers to reveal the complete picture once again. Fun activity for number recognition and ordering skills. Also great for fine motor! Cut and stick use once activity or laminate to use time and time again. Why not also check out our Winter Number Slice Pictures - Colouring version?!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Number Slice Puzzle Activities - Colouring versions. Puzzles available for 1-5 and 1-10 sequencing. Colour the pictures, cut along the vertical lines and then put the pieces back together in numerical order. Stick to a new sheet of card or paper once complete! Great for number recognition and ordering, observational skills and motor control. Picture and number combination enables child self checking.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These Winter themed Snap cards (1-10) can be printed, cut out and laminated to consolidate children's recognition of numbers and Winter themed objects! (Word cards also available to help with children's subject knowledge).
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Your children will love to use this as part of an out and about hunt activity or in conjunction with a 'Winter' themed tuff spot or feely bag. Use as a Tally Chart or Check List. Differentiate expectations for individual children within your care. Some children may simply use it as a visual cue whilst others may begin to make marks resembling tally lines or even numbers.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Intended to be cut out (and ideally laminated) for use by children in repeatable size ordering activities. If you have access to a fuzzy felt board, why not stick velcro tabs on the back so that children can move them around on the board? Alternatively use them as a cut and stick activity (to also strengthen fine motor skills) for the children to take home and discuss with their families using words such as ‘small, smaller, smallest, big, bigger, biggest’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Each page in our ‘Winter Size Ordering’ colouring pack includes an object in 5 different sizes. Why not encourage your child to…COLOUR the images, CUT them out (this may be done under supervision or by an adult depending on the individual child) & STICK the images in size order to a new sheet of paper or card?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Winter Pictogram Chart pictures designed for children to not only think about their favourite Winter object, but also realise that others may not have the same favourite. In addition, children begin to learn about simple graphs and charts. Ideal for use in a classroom, preschool, nursery or childminder setting. Children do not have to necessarily complete the activity at the same time, but a chart can be added to a display and individual children can add their own favourites at appropriate times.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Perfect as part of a Winter topic. These Winter Robin Number cards can be displayed on the wall or printed smaller to use as flash cards. Why not allow children to practise forming the numbers with a whiteboard pen on laminated copies?…Or even use playdough to try moulding the number shapes? Also check out our Robin Alphabet cards.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you feed the hungry robins the right number of worms? Robin cards numbered 1-20 with corresponding worm counting mats. With obvious links to numbers/counting and a Winter theme, why not also use this activity to branch out into discussions about food chains, habitats and minibeasts?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Count the Winter objects from 0 to 20. Print one or two numbers to a page for use as part of a display or eight to a page for a set of flashcards.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Encourage your children to colour the objects and count them as they go (1 to 20). Ideal sheets to practise 1:1 correspondence counting (where children place their fingers on the objects as they count them). Also great for learning written numbers and knowledge of items within a particular topic. Children may even enjoy using these as posters to create a themed numberline on their playroom or bedroom wall!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Winter themed 100 square.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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🌼 Spring Maths Provision
Use spring observations and natural collections to revisit number, quantity and mathematical talk.
Offer opportunities to match, count and compare, making connections between the pictures children see and the real materials they explore.
Featured Provision
Suggested starting points for, with quantities selected for the children.
Spring themed subitising posters which may also be used as mats.
Each poster (1-6) displays the numeral on a central tree. Surrounding the tree is a raincloud with raindrops, a daffodil with bees, a magnifying glass examining ladybirds and a dice, which each subitise the number in different ways.
In the top left corner we have also featured a green spring leaf with the number written in word form.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are to be cut and folded along the middle and then laminated to make a longer lasting resource.
The children are to be encouraged to say how many bumblebees there are straight away with no counting. They could use these independently and self-check or the cards could be held up by an adult as part of a group activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The children are to be encouraged to say how many bumblebees there are straight away with no counting. They are intended to be held up by an adult as part of a group or class activity.
Print and use the cards appropriate for your children. 22 cards within pack for subitising numbers 1-6. Blank card template at the end to make your own if required.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards could be used as part of a spring number display or laminated for use in a number/counting activity.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat could be used as part of a spring number display or laminated for use in a number/counting activity.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 8 Spring puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise colours and patterns and solve problems involving observational skills. Also perfect for Spring vocab learning!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you make the right number of daffodils? Fun number recognition and counting activity combined with a little messy play! Numbered sheets to fingerpaint daffodils . Sheets can also be used to draw daffodils. The third sheet is blank to allow numbers to be written in.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you place pom poms or other loose parts on the multicoloured circles? Great for fine motor control and developing a pincer grip. Why not also introduce tools such as tweezers? Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use these fine motor butterfly sheets once for pencil control practise or laminate and encourage children to take it in turns with whiteboard pens to practise making the different shapes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use these fine motor Spring leaf sheets once for pencil control practice or laminate and encourage children to take it in turns with whiteboard pens to practise making the different shapes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Great for number formation and counting! These A4 size mats can be laminated for use as playdough mats. Children can mould the shape of each number in playdough and also make the minibeasts. Additionally, they may be used for number writing practice with a whiteboard pen or used as stimulus for a loose parts activity. For example loose parts may be placed inside the lines of the numbers (also developing fine motor control) and placed onto each minibeast to aid in counting the correct quantity.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Once laminated this Butterly Multimat is ideal to be used as a reusable playdough or loose parts mat. Alternatively, use it in conjunction with whiteboard pens. Without lamination this sheet could also be used with mark making tools or art and craft materials.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Once laminated these Spring Leaf Multimats are ideal to be used as reusable playdough or loose part mats. Alternatively, use them in conjunction with whiteboard pens. Without lamination these sheets may also be used with mark making tools or art and craft materials.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Primarily designed for use as a mat to be laminated and used time and time again with whiteboard pens for children to practise their number formation, this resource has many uses. It could be used by a child once and taken home as a consolidation of their learning. It could be used as part of a Spring and/or Maths display. Place it in a learning area where children may be writing numbers as a reminder of how to form numbers. Or alternatively use it as a playdough mat. (Includes two versions of ‘5’ formation.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Count the Spring items from 0 to 20. Print one or two numbers to a page for use as part of a display or more to a page for a set of flashcards. Ideal as part of an enabling environment, allowing children to observe and interact with their surroundings. Children may interact with this display independently, as an adult led activity or as a child led/initiated interaction which leads to adult input. Children may point to, name and describe the things they see at springtime or practise 1:1 correspondence counting (placing a finger on objects in turn as they count them systematically).
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Encourage your children to colour the objects and count them as they go (1 to 20). Ideal sheets to practise 1:1 correspondence counting (where children place their fingers on the objects as they count them). Also great for learning written numbers and knowledge of items within a particular topic. Children may even enjoy using these as posters to create a themed numberline on their playroom or bedroom wall!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Have fun with this set of 8 Spring Activity Challenge cards. Perhaps children could stand in a circle around the pile of cards and take turns to pick one for everyone to do. Once the children get to know the cards they will be able to relate the action to the picture without necessarily needing the card read to them...For example an adult may be able to simply hold up a card and everyone will be able to do the activity together! Great for physical development, descriptive language, understanding the world and turn taking.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Can you make the correct number of ladybirds for your playdough mat…or place the right number of loose part objects on the ladybirds next to the flower? Can you make the shape of the number…or mould the shape of the flower? Great for motor skills, creativity (making simple representations of objects), number recognition and 1:1 correspondence counting! 20 pages (Numbers 1-20).
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Spring number line 0-25. Print 1 to a page for a large display or fewer for a set of Spring themed number flashcards.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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‘Spring’ themed Number Slice Puzzle Activities. Puzzles available for 1-5 or 1-10 sequencing. Cut along the vertical lines and laminate for multiple uses or allow your children to cut and stick as an individual activity to take home. Great for number recognition and ordering, observational skills and motor control.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Number Slice Puzzle Activities - Colouring versions. Puzzles available for 1-5 and 1-10 sequencing. Colour the pictures, cut along the vertical lines and then put the pieces back together in numerical order. Stick to a new sheet of card or paper once complete! Great for number recognition and ordering, observational skills and motor control. Picture and number combination enables child self checking.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These versatile butterfly number sheets could be used in a number of ways. Challenge your children to finger paint the right number of marks on each butterfly/wing. Alternatively, use as a playdough mat where the children might like to make the corresponding number of shapes to place on the wings, mould the number at the top or even the entire butterfly. The sheets could also be used in a similar way using loose parts or even collage materials whereby children may like to cut and stick various shapes that they create themselves. You may even like to provide children with basic shapes to place or stick onto the wings so that the children not only learn about numbers and 1:1 correspondence counting but also specific shapes you feel they are ready to begin recognising and describing. Equally, the sheets could simply be offered to children with colouring tools such as pencils, crayons or pens.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These versatile Ladybird number sheets could be used in a number of ways. Challenge your children to finger paint the right number of dots on each ladybird. Alternatively, use as a playdough mat where the children might like to make the corresponding number of spots, mould the number at the top or even the entire ladybird. The sheets could also be used in a similar way using loose parts or even collage materials whereby children may like to cut and stick spots to the sheets. Equally, the sheets could simply be offered to children with colouring tools such as pencils, crayons or pens.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Versatile blank butterfly sheet. Ideal for exploring symmetry using a variety of different media. Children could create their own colourful designs attempting to create symmetry themselves. Alternatively you could try painting a pattern on one side and folding along the dotted line which presses the paint onto the other wing, thus creating a symmetrical design.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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🐚 Summer & Beach Maths Provision
Explore patterns, shapes and sharing with a beach-inspired collection.
Use suitable objects to recreate an arrangement, make a shape, compare collections or investigate how a group of items could be shared.
Featured Provision
Suggested starting points for, with quantities selected for the children.
Engaging poster which shows how we can tell the age a cockle was when it died by looking at the shell it left behind. How many lines are on each of the cockle shells you find?
Keywords: cockle shell, growth, poster, facts, sea, beach
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being given as a pattern making challenge using beach items/loose parts.
Encourage the children to look at the card patterns and try to recreate them using real life elements that are found or provided. Great activity for looking closely at similarities and differences!
Keywords: repeating pattern, natural, loose parts, shell, limpet, whelk, observation, activities, activity
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat is designed to engage children in learning about the concept of sharing quantities equally. How to use…
Adult or child can choose a number to write in the top right corner.
Then child to count that number of shells for the top box.
Finally, the child can investigate if the shells can be shared out fairly into the two bottom boxes.
Great for use alongside reading ‘Sharing a Shell’!
Keywords: shells, sharing, dividing, equally, fairly, natural, loose part, items, materials, prompt, activities, activity, mat, maths, mathematics, math, numeracy, half, halving, double, doubling
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be used as a stimulus for making shapes with natural materials on the beach.
Extensions could include asking what other shapes the children could make or what other materials could they use.
Keywords: shape, artwork, natural, loose part, items, materials, prompt, activities, activity, poster, cards, circle, triangle, square, shell, rock, stone, pebble, seaweed
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat is designed to engage children in thinking about size. Ideal for use after a trip to the beach.
How many shells can you fit into the rockpool? Does it matter what type of shells they are? How many big shells can you fit? How many smaller ones? Does it matter what shape the shells are?
Great for use alongside reading ‘Sharing a Shell’!
Keywords: shells, fit, capacity, size, big, bigger, biggest, small, smaller, smallest, counting, count, one to one correspondence, shape, natural, loose part, items, materials, prompt, activities, activity, mat, maths, mathematics, math, numeracy
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This mat is designed to encourage creativity whilst also engaging children in thinking about size. Ideal for use after a trip to the beach.
Who will share this shell?
Two printable sheets provided for a variety of purposes…mark making and drawing, playdough or even small world role-play!
How many creatures can share your shell? What are they each like? Do they work together to help each other?
Great for use alongside reading ‘Sharing a Shell’!
Keywords: shells, share, sharing, fit, capacity, size, big, bigger, biggest, small, smaller, smallest, counting, count, one to one correspondence, shape, natural, playdough, prompt, activities, activity, mat, maths, mathematics, math, numeracy, creative, creativity, role play
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These ‘Follow the Snail’s Trail’ pencil control sheets/mats are perfect for the development of fine motor control using mark making tools or even just a tracing finger! Smooth and spiky patterns included.
Ideal for both individual use to ‘take home’ or laminated for multiple uses with whiteboard pens.
You may like to read ‘The Snail and the Whale’ alongside this resource.
Keywords: mark making, make marks, activities, activity, beach animal, dotted line, pencil control, fine motor, whelk, snail, finger tracing, smooth/curved lines, spiky/pointy lines
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These ‘Follow the Snail’s Trail’ pencil control mats are perfect for the development of fine motor control using mark making tools or even just a tracing finger! Smooth and spiky patterns included.
Ideal for multiple uses with whiteboard pens/a tracing finger once laminated. Mats could also be used with playdough or loose parts!
You may like to read ‘The Snail and the Whale’ alongside this resource.
Keywords: mark making, make marks, activities, activity, beach animal, dotted line, pencil control, fine motor, whelk, snail, finger tracing, smooth/curved lines, spiky/pointy lines
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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📚 Maths Through Stories & Children’s Interests
A favourite story or an absorbing interest can offer a meaningful reason to compare, sort, count or solve a practical problem.
Choose an enhancement that connects with children’s play, then add the mathematical materials they need to investigate it.
Featured Themes
Many more opportunities exist on our themed resource pages. Here is a selection for inspiration.
🐻 Goldilocks: size and comparison
Browse Goldilocks resources
🐞 Minibeasts: counting and collecting information
Browse Minibeasts collection
🦖 Dinosaur discoveries: shape, number and size
Celebration-linked maths invitations
Where a celebration is meaningful to your children and setting, explore related resources alongside stories, discussion and wider learning. Many more opportunities exist on our festival, celebration and special date pages. Here is a selection for inspiration.
Christmas
Present Shape Match Cards and Christmas Tree Playdough & Loose-Part Mats
Diwali
Diwali Pattern Match from the Patterns collection.
🏗️ Maths Across Your Continuous Provision
Mathematical possibilities extend beyond a dedicated maths area.
A child might compare towers in construction, count portions in a pretend café, explore capacity at the water tray or make a map for a small-world adventure. Place useful resources where the mathematical problem arises, rather than expecting children to leave their play to find them.
Construction
Challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks. Ideal for observation skills, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Height ordering activity cards. Give your children an appropriate selection of cards to order. Develop from just 2 cards within each theme ‘tall’ and ‘short to a adding a third to increase the language explored such as ‘taller’, ‘shorter’, ‘tallest’, ‘shortest’.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Also Explore
Small selections of prompts from the following packs alongside your current building provision: Number Representation Cards 0 to 10, Comparing Quantities Provision Pack, Measure and Compare Investigation Cards, Shape and Spatial Investigation Cards, Loose Parts Pattern Challenge Cards, Maths Talk and Reasoning Cards
Malleable Play
Reusable mats for matching numerals to quantities with real objects. Use these versatile number recognition and counting mats for multiple purposes. Choose the numbers that fit children’s current play and understanding; there is no need to work through every mat. Also ideal for use as playdough mats.
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Make, arrange and compare small collections alongside dough play.
Also Explore
Small selections of prompts from the following packs alongside your current malleable play provision: Measure and Compare Investigation Cards, Loose Parts Pattern Challenge Cards
Water / Sensory Play
The cards can be used as part of a small display near the water area or as a direct challenge to be used by the children when playing in the water tray.
Keywords: EYFS, Year 1, Y1, Yr1, Measurement, Capacity and Volume
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Also investigate which container holds more and how to check.
Also Explore
A selection of appropriate prompts from the following pack alongside your current water play provision: Measure and Compare Investigation Cards
Sand / Small World
These maps have blank centres for children to draw the sand tray and mark where they have hidden their treasure.
They can then challenge a friend to find the treasure using the map to guide them!
You may also like o encourage the use of positional language such as next to, under, on top, beside, left, right, behind, etc.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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The cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being buried in the sand pit/tray.
The children can then dig in the sand to find and identify the shapes on the fossils.
Includes 4 sets of 6 shapes: triangle, square, circle, rectangle/oblong, pentagon and hexagon. Having 4 sets allows for matching the same shape and counting up to 4 of the same shape. If you would like less or more sets you may of course print as appropriate.
Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Represent a space or search, match and sort discoveries. Incorporate small world role play involving lost and found objects.
Also Explore
Small selections of prompts from the following packs alongside your current small world provision: Number Representation Cards 0 to 10, Comparing Quantities Provision Pack, Shape and Spatial Investigation Cards, Loose Parts Pattern Challenge Cards
Outdoor / Mud Kitchen
Pack of 5 ingredient challenge cards (plus a blank one) you may like to use to enhance learning through play within your mud kitchen area.
Ideally cards are to be laminated in order for you to write appropriate numbers for individual children/groups of children in each square using a whiteboard pen. The cards can then be repeatedly used all year round.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These A5 and A4 ‘Recipe Ingredient Cards’ are designed to be printed for single use or laminated for multiple uses to enhance learning through play in your mud kitchen area.
Numbers can be written into each box to denote the quantity of each ingredient required. Numbers can be written by either an adult or child.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Collect and count ingredients for an invented recipe.
Also Explore
Small selections of prompts from the following packs alongside your current outdoor provision: Number Representation Cards 0 to 10, Shape and Spatial Investigation Cards, Maths Talk and Reasoning Cards
Role Play
Download this one stop 'Ice Cream Shop' role play pack. Ideal role play area for the hot weather.
Pack includes:
banner
menu with prices
create your own ice cream menu
blank proforma menu for children to fill in
picture cards of various things to be sold in the role-play shop (to ideally cut out and laminate)
lolly writing sheets
ice cream order form
advert posters with descriptive vocab
open and closed signs
opening times clock
blank mark making/drawing/writing sheets
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Download this one stop 'Sandwich Shop' role play pack. Ideal role play area for learning about personal choice/opinion/preferences, healthy eating, time and money.
Pack includes:
Banner
Name badges - Name Writing
Sandwich, fillings and extras prop cards (to be sold in shop)
Various posters
Sandwich order forms
Various menus
Open and closed signs (with and without clocks)
Various mark making sheets, e.g. ‘Employee of the month’ and note sheets
Opening times poster
Contactless payment poster and prop cards
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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* Sandwich Shop Dramatic Role Play Pack: Take an order, prepare quantities and check that there is enough.
* Summer Role Play - Ice Cream Shop Dramatic Role Play Pack: Count scoops or portions and explore number in shop play.
Also Explore
Maths opportunities in many more of our Role Play Packs
Small selections of appropriate prompts from the following packs alongside your current role-play provision: Comparing Quantities Provision Pack, Measure and Compare Investigation Cards, Maths Talk and Reasoning Cards
📘 Develop Your Maths Provision
Curriculum, progression and practitioner support
Looking beyond individual printables?
Explore guidance to help you select resources purposefully, recognise mathematical learning in play and connect adult interaction with your curriculum.
Use these documents alongside your provision resources to consider what children are exploring, what they might need next and how the environment can support them.
Featured Professional Guidance Documents
A comprehensive set of professional guidance documents supporting high-quality, purposeful continuous provision across all key areas of the Reception environment.
The pack provides detailed guidance for every core Preschool learning zone, including:
~ Construction ~ Small World ~ Role-Play ~ Writing & Mark-Making ~ Maths ~ Creative / Art ~ Investigation / STEM ~ Book Corner / Reading Den ~ Fine Motor Station ~ Water and Sand ~ Outdoor Core Zones (physical play, nature, maths, mark-making, mud kitchen) ~ Snack Area / Independence Station ~
* Preschool & Reception Continuous Provision Guidance Packs: both packs featured contain support for Maths provision & play.
The Reception Maths Teaching Framework provides a clear, coherent model for play-based and progression-led teaching of mathematics across the Reception year that is developmentally appropriate and inspection-secure.
Foundations for early mathematical thinking through play, language and everyday experiences.
This document is a complete bank of 24 short, high-quality maths small-group sessions designed specifically for Preschool children aged 3–4 years.
The 24 sessions are organised into six developmental strands: Subitising, Counting Principles, Comparing Quantities, Composition of Number, Spatial & Shape and Measures & Pattern.
Additional Professional Support Documents
Explore mathematical progression
Preschool Skills Progression Ladder — Subitising, Counting & Comparing
Preschool Skills Progression Ladder — Pattern, Shape & Spatial Awareness
Develop adult interaction in play
❓ Maths Continuous Provision: Common Questions
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A dedicated area can make mathematical materials easy to find, but maths should also be available through construction, role play, sensory exploration, movement and everyday routines. Place resources where they support children’s activity.
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On this page, core provision means reusable resources selected for regular access. An enhancement is a purposeful addition that introduces a new material, context or possibility. It can enrich familiar provision without replacing everything already available.
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No. Treat the resources as options to support exploration, not a compulsory sequence. An adult might introduce one prompt, a child might revisit the same mat repeatedly, or a useful discussion might develop without any written recording.
🔎 Explore More Mathematics Resources
Looking for a particular mathematical concept, a different theme or a wider range of activities?
Visit our EYFS Mathematics hub for the broader collection of maths resources and guidance. Or visit our KS1 Mathematics page where you will find a new a growing collection of Year 1 & Year 2 curriculum planning, printable activities, displays & ideas.
You can also browse Subitising, Shapes, Patterns and Outdoor Maths for additional materials.