Incorporating Maths into everyday activities help children to understand it is part of their everyday life. We can set up invitations to play and learn by using games that involve mathematical concepts. This creates an enjoyable learning environment for maths exploration at home. Each activity using these magnetic tiles takes less than 5 minutes to set up and are aimed at young children around 3-4 years old.

Counting food or any loose parts that children use is a great way to incorporate 1:1 correspondence counting in a natural and relevant way. This is an important skill that involves counting each object in a set only once. It teaches children to associate each item to one number and to count in the correct order. It sets the foundation for other numeracy concepts they will encounter later on.

Activity: Using a chalk marker, write the numbers 0-11 on a magnetic tile and fill each compartment of the muffin tray with counters, buttons or whatever you can find at home. For this activity, I placed popcorn into the muffin tin and my 4yo counted each one, then placed the corresponding number tile on top.

Understanding patterns form a key component in Mathematics and develop from a young age. Children often recognise patterns such as the red and white on a candy cane or the repeating pattern of a striped jumper. They may be building with CONNETIX and design a road using blue and red tiles in an alternating pattern. This early exposure to patterns lays a foundational framework for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It enhances a child’s ability to predict outcomes, make logical deductions and apply mathematical principles in various real-life scenarios.

Once children learn to recognise the patterns around them, we can help deepen their understanding by asking them to describe it and to create their own. We can make the most of teachable opportunities that arise when we notice patterns in their play and extend them by asking “What comes next? Before? After?” and “Can you finish the pattern?”

For younger children, colour and shape patterns are the easiest to recognise. CONNETIX comes in so many colours and shapes, making it the perfect tool for integrating patterns into play. As children dive deeper into numeracy concepts and learn to skip count, they also recognise more number patterns (e.g. in the pattern 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 etc the numbers are increasing by 3). By finding the rules in underlying patterns, children are engaging in algebraic thinking. This provides the gateway to interpreting number sequences, geometric shapes and algebra.

Activity: Start a colour, shape or number pattern using CONNETIX and invite your child to complete it. I started the pattern on our fence as it provides a large magnetic surface to work on. I focused on colour and shape but for number patterns, you can use a chalk marker to write on the magnetic tile.

Similar to patterns, the concept of symmetry will often arise as children play and create designs with a symmetrical pattern. When we observe children creating a symmetrical structure, we can introduce this concept by discussing the shape, pattern and lines of symmetry. We can teach the vocabulary and mathematical language, for example: “When we draw a line down the middle, this side reflects this side. This is called symmetry” or “This is symmetrical.”

Once children understand symmetry, they will start to notice it everywhere and learn to visualise how shapes can be mirrored. When children predict and complete a symmetrical pattern, they are exercising their cognitive skills as they engage in logical thinking and problem-solving. Symmetrical puzzles or “draw the other half” activities are tactile ways to engage children in learning symmetry.

Activity: Using a chalk marker, draw symmetrical images or patterns on 2 CONNETIX. Split them up and mix them around for your child to put together. Alternatively, create a symmetrical pattern on one half of the table and invite your child to finish the other half.