Valentine's Day: Number Bonds to 5 Hearts | EYFS & KS1 Puzzles

Early Years (EYFS & KS1) Valentine’s Day: Number Bonds to 5 Heart Puzzles

Build foundational mathematical understanding this Valentine's Day with our sweet Valentine's Day: Number Bonds to 5 Hearts puzzles! This engaging printable is perfect for EYFS and early KS1 children, offering a hands-on and interactive way to master number bonds to 5, develop number recognition, counting, and early addition skills.

Ideal for Preschool, Nursery, School, or for Parents and Childminders at home, these charming heart-themed puzzles provide a concrete approach to this crucial early maths concept.

This comprehensive pack features:

• 6 large heart-shaped puzzles: Covering all number bonds to 5, from 0+5 to 5+0. Each puzzle is split into two unique halves.

  • Each side of every puzzle contains both the written number/numeral (e.g., '2') AND the corresponding number of hearts to count (e.g., two small hearts). This dual representation supports varied learning styles and reinforces connections.

• Unique connecting patterns: Crucially, each puzzle connection is unique. This ingenious design allows children to self-correct their matches, promoting independent learning and problem-solving without direct adult intervention.

(Note: Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity suggested on this page and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• 💡 How to use this resource in your classroom/setting

  Our Valentine's Day: Number Bonds to 5 Hearts puzzles are incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of ways across various early years and KS1 environments:

  • Invitation to Play: Cut out the puzzles and mix the halves. Place them in a maths area or on a table as an invitation for children to explore and match independently.

  • Number Bond Matching: Children select one half (e.g., '1' with one heart) and then search for its partner that makes 5 (e.g., '4' with four hearts). Encourage them to count the hearts on both halves to verify their bond.

  • Self-Correction in Action: The unique puzzle cuts mean that if a child tries to force a match, they will quickly see it doesn't fit, prompting them to re-evaluate their count or number bond knowledge. This fosters independent problem-solving.

  • Verification by Counting All: Once a pair is matched, encourage children to count all the hearts on both halves together to visually confirm they make 5 (e.g., "1 heart plus 4 hearts makes 5 hearts altogether!").

  • Small Group Focus: Use in an adult-led small group to introduce number bonds, assess understanding, and provide targeted support for specific children.

  • Fluency Practice: As children become more familiar, encourage them to see how quickly they can match all the bonds, promoting quick recall.

  • Fine Motor Development: The act of manipulating the puzzle pieces (picking up, turning, fitting) helps to strengthen small hand muscles and enhance hand-eye coordination.

  • Display: The completed and matched heart puzzles make a lovely, themed maths display for Valentine's Day, showcasing the children's mastery of number bonds to 5.

• 🎯 Learning objectives covered - 🐣 EYFS Framework

  EYFS Framework:

  • Mathematics (Number):

    • Composition of Number: Children understand that numbers within 5 can be made up of two or more smaller numbers (number bonds).

    • Counting Objects: Children learn to count objects reliably up to 5.

    • Number Recognition: Recognise and identify numerals from 0 to 5.

    • One-to-One Correspondence: Develop accurate one-to-one correspondence when counting the hearts.

    • Problem Solving: Engage in problem-solving by identifying correct matches and self-correcting.

  • Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills): Manipulating the puzzle pieces helps to strengthen hand muscles, develop a pincer grip, and enhance hand-eye coordination.

  • Communication and Language: Opportunities for children to use mathematical vocabulary (e.g., 'plus', 'altogether', 'makes', number names) and discuss their counting and matching processes.

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Self-Regulation): Learning to persevere with the puzzle, self-correcting, and achieving a goal fosters self-regulation and a sense of accomplishment.

• 🎯 Learning objectives covered - 🐤 KS1 Curriculum

  KS1 Curriculum:

  • Mathematics (Number - Addition and Subtraction):

    • Number Bonds: Children learn and recall number bonds to 10. This resource provides a foundational step focusing on bonds to 5.

    • Representations: Children use concrete objects (hearts) and pictorial representations to support their understanding of addition.

    • Mental Maths: Practice supports the development of mental strategies for early addition facts.

Download our Valentine's Day: Number Bonds to 5 Hearts today and help your EYFS and early KS1 learners build a strong foundation in number bonds!

⬅️ VALENTINE’S DAY Topic Page

⬅️ EMOTIONS & FEELINGS Topic Page

⬅️ KINDNESS & FRIENDSHIP Topic Page

⬅️ FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS Menu Page

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