Making Maths a Joyful Adventure

As the Headteacher of a leading local nursery and school, I am often asked about the best ways to help young children develop their learning from the start. One of the most important areas of focus in early education, alongside reading, is mathematics. However, for our youngest learners, maths isn’t just about numbers and equations – it’s about exploration, discovery, and play.

Research consistently shows that early exposure to maths skills can have a profound impact on a child’s future learning. Early years maths helps children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills, which are the foundation for so many aspects of their academic journey. But how can we ensure these lessons stick? By making it fun, of course!

When children are engaged in playful and hands-on activities, they absorb mathematical concepts almost without realizing it. Counting blocks, sorting shapes, building towers, and even singing number songs are all powerful ways to introduce early maths skills. Through these activities, children learn to recognise patterns, understand quantities, and develop spatial awareness—all essential skills for later success.

At Hilden Oaks, we prioritize creating a rich, stimulating environment where maths is embedded in everyday experiences. In our wonderful garden children may experiment with volume and capacity. On the playground, they measure distances and compare heights. In the classrooms, puzzles and games encourage them to think strategically and solve problems collaboratively. These moments of joy and discovery lay the groundwork for a lifelong love of learning.

Parents also play a vital role in this journey. Simple activities like baking together (measuring ingredients), going on a shape hunt around the house, or playing board or card games that involve counting can make a world of difference, and at this time of year the Advent Calendar provides endless mathematical opportunities: recognising numbers, predicting which one comes next, finding one more or one less, counting forward and back. The key is to show children that maths is all around them and can be incredibly exciting.

At its heart, early years maths is about curiosity and confidence. When we foster these qualities in a fun, supportive environment, children develop not only the skills they need for school but also a positive mindset towards learning that will benefit them for years to come.

Let’s work together to make maths a joyful adventure for every child!

Sharon Wade
Headteacher